The IBU Biathlon World Championships 2027 take place in Otepää, Estonia from Monday 8 February to Sunday 21 February 2027. The annual championships bring together the world’s best biathletes for 12 medal events spanning sprint, pursuit, individual, mass start, relay and single mixed relay races. It is the first time Estonia hosts the World Championships, with competition staged at the Tehvandi Sports Centre in the country’s winter sports heartland.
What are the Biathlon World Championships?
The IBU Biathlon World Championships are the annual flagship event of the International Biathlon Union. Biathlon combines cross-country skiing with rifle shooting, requiring competitors to transition between two contrasting disciplines under pressure. Athletes race across courses of between 6km and 20km, stopping at regular shooting ranges to fire at targets from prone and standing positions. Missed shots result in penalty loops or time penalties depending on the format.
The World Championships programme covers men’s and women’s individual races (20km/15km), sprints (10km/7.5km), pursuits (12.5km/10km), mass starts (15km/12.5km), relays (4×7.5km/4x6km), mixed relay and single mixed relay. Medals are awarded across all 12 events, making Worlds weekend one of the most medal-rich championships on the winter sports calendar.
When are the Biathlon World Championships 2027?
Racing runs from Monday 8 February to Sunday 21 February 2027. The schedule typically opens with the mixed relay and single mixed relay, followed by individual sprints, pursuits, the individual races, mass starts and the relay events across the two weekends. Start times are scheduled for afternoon local time to accommodate television audiences across Europe, with most races starting between 2pm and 6pm local (EET).
Where are the Biathlon World Championships 2027?
Otepää is a small town in southern Estonia widely known as the country’s winter sports capital. The Tehvandi Sports Centre has hosted IBU World Cup biathlon rounds and Nordic combined events for many years and was upgraded ahead of the 2027 Championships. The circuit’s rolling terrain and relatively low elevation make for fast racing, and the shooting range is well-sheltered from prevailing winds. The venue is around two and a half hours by road from the Estonian capital Tallinn.
Key Contenders
Norway traditionally dominates the biathlon medal table, headed by Johannes Thingnes Boe, one of the most successful biathletes in history with multiple overall World Cup titles. Sturla Holm Laegreid and Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen lead the supporting cast. France is the main challenger, with Quentin Fillon Maillet and Emilien Jacquelin at the head of a strong relay team. Sweden’s Sebastian Samuelsson and Germany’s Benedikt Doll are other men’s contenders.
On the women’s side, Norway’s Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold, France’s Julia Simon and Lou Jeanmonnot, and Sweden’s Elvira Oeberg are among the leading names. Italy’s Lisa Vittozzi, the 2023-24 overall World Cup winner, heads a competitive Italian team. Germany’s Franziska Preuss and Slovakia’s Paulina Fialkova round out a deep women’s field.
How to Watch
Across Europe, Eurosport and Discovery+ provide comprehensive coverage of every race. National public broadcasters carry live coverage in the leading biathlon nations: NRK in Norway, ARD and ZDF in Germany, France Televisions in France, SVT in Sweden, ORF in Austria, YLE in Finland and RAI in Italy. In the United Kingdom, Eurosport is the primary option, while in the United States NBC Sports offers coverage through Peacock. The official IBU app and biathlonworld.com carry streaming in select territories.
History and Records
The Biathlon World Championships have been staged annually since 1958 for men and 1984 for women, becoming a combined championships in 1989. Norway leads the all-time medal table by a wide margin. Ole Einar Bjorndalen of Norway retired with 45 World Championship medals, the most in biathlon history, including 20 golds. On the women’s side, Germany’s Magdalena Neuner won 12 World Championship golds before retiring at 25, one of the most remarkable records in the sport.
Tickets and Attendance
Tickets are sold through the Tehvandi Sports Centre’s official Championships site. Day passes for standing-room access at the stadium range from around 20 to 40 euros, with grandstand seats available at higher prices. Weekend and full-event packages are offered at a discount. Standing-room trackside is traditionally the most atmospheric way to watch a biathlon race, with spectators encouraged to move between the shooting range and ski loops.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the Biathlon World Championships 2027 start?
Monday 8 February 2027, running through to Sunday 21 February 2027.
Where are the 2027 Biathlon World Championships being held?
Otepää, Estonia, at the Tehvandi Sports Centre.
How can I watch the Biathlon World Championships?
On Eurosport and Discovery+ across Europe including the UK, and on NBC Sports and Peacock in the United States.
Who won the last Biathlon World Championships?
The defending champions from the 2026 Championships, which took place ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics, return to defend their titles.