Biathlon World Cup in Östersund

• The venue is Sweden's National Biathlon Stadium in Östersund.
• The arena is about two kilometres from the city centre.
• The compact stadium borders a pine forest and is overlooked by the Arctura Tower.
• Östersund opened the World Cup seasons in 2019/20, 2021/22, 2023/24 and 2025/26.
• The city hosted the Biathlon World Championships in 2008 and 2019.
• The single mixed relay made its World Championship debut at the 2019 event.
• The IBU has selected Östersund to host the 2031 World Championships.

The Swedish National Biathlon Arena stands on a slope at the edge of a pine forest; the distinctive Arctura Tower shapes the skyline above the venue. The arena is designed as a compact stadium. Its proximity to town is an important part of the spectator experience: the centre, with shops, restaurants and bakeries, is about two kilometres away. This makes it possible to combine a competition day with a stay in Östersund, with short distances between the event and the city centre. The town lies on Lake Storsjön and is the capital of Jämtland, a region in central Sweden. The combination of a compact venue, town and lakeside setting gives this event a different feel from World Cups held well outside a town centre.

Östersund has been a regular stop on the international calendar for years. It opened the World Cup seasons in 2019/20, 2021/22, 2023/24 and 2025/26. For spectators, this is an early-season highlight, bringing new team combinations, first tests of form and a full World Cup programme together. The World Championships have also returned here: Östersund hosted in 2008 and 2019. The IBU has since awarded the city the 2031 championships as well. A notable feature of the 2019 programme was the single mixed relay's debut at the Biathlon World Championships. This event marked the development of the international competition programme and added a distinctive chapter to Östersund's history. Our guide to biathlon introduces the discipline and its formats.

The compact venue sits beside the courses, with the Arctura and pine trees as a backdrop. During evening events, the stadium stands out above the town. For planning the day, event times and the route between the centre and arena matter; the distance of about two kilometres makes walking, cycling or taking a bus practical options. Car parks are close to the stadium, but spaces are limited. Event rules apply within spectator areas: dogs are allowed only along the course, not in the stands; commercial banners are prohibited. Cameras are permitted for private use, but flash must not be directed at athletes. Other venues are covered in our overview of events in skiing.

The event's appeal comes from more than its sporting programme: Östersund offers a direct link between the arena and a visit to town. Knowing other venues can help put its character in context. The Biathlon World Cup in Ruhpolding, for example, is an established German venue with its own stadium tradition. For Östersund, the stadium's proximity to the centre, its role as a season opener and the 2008 and 2019 World Championships remain defining reference points.