The BMW IBU Biathlon World Cup 2026 in Oberhof in figures
Three competitions days, six races, 49.700 Fans: The BMW IBU World Cup Biathlon 2026 in Oberhof is history. In the following, the most interesting numbers about this years wintersports event are summarised.
Accreditations: A total of 2,535 accreditations have been issued for the BMW IBU World Cup Biathlon 2026 in Oberhof, including around 1,358 accreditations for the volunteers in the various areas and the organising committee, including service and security personnel, as well as over 495 accreditations for the teams.
Viewing figures: The competitions in the ARENA am Rennsteig were broadcast by ARD. The men's sprint on January 08, 2026, was watched by 1.2 million viewers (audience share 18.8 percent), the women’s sprint 2,15 million viewers (audience share 24.5 percent). The competitions on January 10, 2026, were watched by 3.14 million (men's pursuit) and 3.79 million (women’s relay). The audience share for the men’s relay and the women’s pursuit (January 11, 2026) will be available on January 12, 2026.
Fanshop: The bestsellers in the official fan shop include the official pin, hand and foot warmers, the new blackberry-coloured knitted hat, thick buff scarfs, gloves, magnets, sunglasses and the mascot Flocke.
Volunteers: The organising committee of the BMW IBU World Cup Biathlon 2026 in Oberhof was supported by around 720 volunteers. During the World Cup week, the following numbers were registered: 178 volunteers on 05th of January 2026, 206 volunteers on the 06th of January 2026, 305 volunteers on the 7th of January, 2026, 615 volunteers on the 8th of January, 2026, 659 volunteers on the 09th of January 2026, 696 volunteers on the 10th of January 2026 and 658 volunteers on the 11th of January 2026. The youngest volunteer with 16 years worked as a steward in the ARENA. The oldest volunteer is 87 years old and worked as a steward at a P+R parking lot. A volunteer from Switzerland had the longest journey with 569 kilometers.
Hut village: A total of 28 stands, including 14 huts from winter sports clubs plus one Hut from the Thuringian Skiing Association (Thüringer Skiverband e.V.) and 13 cottages from commercial operators, could be found in the hut village and the Expo-Area. There was everything a fan's heart desires. 3.1 tons of grilled sausages, Bratwürste, were sold. In addition, 750 kilogramms of steaks (Thüringer Rostbrätel) and 500 kilograms bockwurst sausages were sold. In addition, the fans helped themselves to 9,650 litres of mulled wine and 140 hectolitres of beer. Regarding environmental protection and sustainability, over 100,000 returnable cups were handed out and returned.
Internet: Five different networks provide a bandwidth of 2.3 gigabit each. The data volume amounts to 6 terabytes. Over 135 access points for non-public WIFI have been installed throughout the site, with an average of 930 users (teams, media, VIPs) logged in per day. For the first time, photographers at the shooting range and target area were given the opportunity to connect their cameras directly via LAN in order to send their photos even faster. A 10 gigabit line was ordered for the TV transmission.
Logistics: The logistics of the BMW IBU World Cup Biathlon 2026 in Oberhof is a mammoth task. 2200 cubic metre of snow were transported out of the ARENA am Rennsteig, amongst others from the stands. 108 functional containers have been set up, 72 of them in the team area alone. A further 33 containers have been set up for the hut village, the supporting program and the stewards. There are three containers in the TV compound. Nearly 700 fences (1,750 running meters) and 130 fences (455 running meters) were set up. 22 WC containers and 20 toilet cabins can be found on the site.
Media representatives: A total of 272 media representatives were registered for the BMW IBU World Cup Biathlon 2026 in Oberhof, including 20 journalists and 28 photographers. Almost 220 reporters and commentators as well as technical staff and the production team ensured the TV and radio coverage. 41 cameras for the global view were in use in the stadium and along the track.
Prize money: Prize money totaling 748,000 euros are distributed. The winners of the individual races (sprint and pursuit) receive 20,000 euros, the runners-up receive 16,000 and third place 13,000 euros. The top teams in the relay receive 33,000 euros (1st place), 22,000 (2nd place) and 18,000 euros (3rd place). At the Flower Ceremonies in the ARENA am Rennsteig, 36 trophies, which were produced in the Arkove Studio in Steinbach-Hallenberg, and 48 bags with regional hair decoration by Albalta, were awarded. Medals were awarded at the award ceremonies on the town square in Oberhof.
Tickets: 49,700 fans attended the BMW IBU World Cup Biathlon 2026 in Oberhof, 10,200 of them on Thursday, 20,500 on Saturday (sold out) and 19,000 on Sunday. They were able to make use of the exclusive pre-sale for the LaVita IBU World Cup Biathlon 2027 in Oberhof and secure season tickets for next year's sporting event at the ARENA am Rennsteig at a 10 percent discount. Advance sales of season tickets start on Monday, January 12, 2026, in the online ticket store at tickets.biathlon-oberhof.de.
Transfer & transportation: An average of 82 shuttle buses were used between the P+R parking lots in Ohrdruf, Steinbach-Hallenberg, Suhl-Nord and Zella-Mehlis as well as the town Oberhof and the ARENA am Rennsteig. On the busiest day (January 10, 2026), 94 shuttle buses were in use. Despite winter weather conditions, the day passed without any significant traffic disturbances. The most coaches (46) were counted on Saturday. At the weekend, an average of 2,100 fans arrived in Zella-Mehlis by train. To ensure transportation for athletes, media representatives, organising committee members and VIPs, 37 vehicles, including four electric vehicles, were used. In the center of Oberhof alone, around 20 signs were set up as a guidance system.