Another World Cup season is just about to start, featuring a total of 21 World Cup rounds, one World Championships, one pre- World Championships and one extended Tour. What’s happening when, where, and who to watch? Check out what’s on tap for the upcoming biathlon and cross-country season.
As for who to watch, here are some of our top picks: Who to watch this season
2023/24 IBU Biathlon World Cup
This winter, the IBU World Cup consists of nine regular World Cup rounds with two in North America: Solider Hollow (USA) and Canmore (CAN).
The season kicks off on November 25th in Östersund (SWE) and concludes in Canmore (CAN) on March 17th. Additionally, Nove Mesto (CZE) welcomes the 2024 IBU World Championships from February 5th through 19th.
Madshus racer Sturla Holm Lægreid (NOR) has been second in the overall World Cup for the past two seasons and has his eyes set on the big crystal ball this time. In fact, the 26-year-old is more excited about the overall World Cup title than winning the World Championships.
“I already have several World Championship gold medals. I don’t have a big crystal ball,” Lægreid says.
Related coverage:
Tough as Nails: Follow Your Dreams
Photo by: Nordic Focus
Round 1:
November 25th-December 3rd: Östersund (SWE)
Round 2:
December 8th-10th: Hochfilzen (AUT)
Round 3:
December 14th-17th: Lenzerheide (SUI)
Round 4:
January 4th-7th: Oberhof (GER)
Round 5:
January 10th-14th: Ruhpolding (GER)
Round 6:
January 18th-21st: Antholz-Anterselva (ITA)
2024 IBU World Championships
February 7th-18th: Nove Mesto (CZE)
Round 7:
February 29th-March 3rd: Oslo/Holmenkollen (NOR)
Round 8:
March 8th-10th: Soldier Hollow (USA)
Round 9:
March 14th-17th: Canmore (CAN)
Photo by: Nordic Focus
2023/24 FIS Cross-Country World Cup
With no major international championships this winter, the overall World Cup and the 2024 Tour de Ski are the main highlights for the upcoming season. That’s not to say that there’s nothing at stake.
“With no major championship on the schedule, every race weekend will be a highlight, and there is a lot to be excited about,” says Harald Østberg Amundsen (NOR), who considers the entire upcoming season a 4-month party.
“Tour de Ski and the new World Cup round in Trondheim (NOR) in December are two events I’m looking forward to, but I’m also super excited about the World Cup rounds in the United States and Canada in February,” he says.
The 25-year-old Norwegian won the overall Scandinavian Cup, which grants him a free spot for the entire first period of the 2024 World Cup. Østberg Amundsen surely won’t waste the opportunity, as it conveniently guarantees him a chance to get better acquainted with the courses that will be used for the 2025 World Championships on home turf in Trondheim. Those races take place from December 15th to 17th.
Read more: “I will be back for the World Championships in 2025. Then I’ll win”
Photo by: Nordic Focus
Period 1 – November and December
November 24th-26th: Ruka (FIN) – Sprint CL/10km CL Interval Start/20km F Mass Start
December 2nd-3rd: Gällivare (SWE) – 10km F Interval Start/Relay
December 9th-10th: Östersund (SWE) – Sprint CL/10km F Interval Start
Pre-World Championships
December 15th-17th: Trondheim (NOR) – Sprint F/20km Skiathlon/10km CL Interval Start
Period 2 – Tour de Ski
December 30th: Toblach (ITA) – Sprint F
December 31st: Toblach (ITA) – 10km CL Interval Start
January 1st: Toblach (ITA) – 20km F Pursuit
January 3rd: Davos (SUI) – Sprint F
January 4th: Davos (SUI) – 20km CL Pursuit
January 6th: Val di Fiemme (ITA) – 15km CL Mass Start
January 7th: Val di Fiemme (ITA) – 10km F, mountain top finish on Alpe Cermis
Period 3 – Two new locations
January 19th-21st: Oberhof (GER) – Sprint CL/20km CL Mass Start /Relay
January 26th-28th: Goms (SUI) – Mixed relay /Sprint F/20km F Mass Start
Period 4 – North-America
February 9th to 13th: Canmore (CAN) – 10km F/Sprint F/20km CL Mass Start/Sprint CL
February 17th-18th: Minneapolis (USA) – Sprint F/10km F Interval Start
Period 5 – Scandinavia
March 1st-3rd: Lahti (FIN) – Team sprint/ 20km CL Interval Start/Sprint F
March 9th-10th: Oslo (NOR) – 50km CL Mass Start
March 12th: Drammen (NOR) – Sprint CL
March 15th-17th: Falun (SWE) – Sprint CL/10km CL Interval Start /20km F Mass Start
Photo by: Nordic Focus