IBU: Otepää Is Ready to Host the World Championships
From 9–21 February 2027, Estonia will host the LaVita IBU World Championships Biathlon for the first time, bringing the world’s best biathletes to Otepää. Following an inspection at the Tehvandi Sports Centre, the International Biathlon Union (IBU) confirmed that Otepää is ready to host the championships.
The IBU regularly inspects competition venues ahead of major events to assess their readiness. Otepää was visited by Borut Nunar, IBU World Cup Race Director, who received an overview from the Organising Committee of both the venue developments and preparations for the upcoming event. “The feedback from the IBU has been positive, and we are ready for the World Championships. At the same time, we must keep in mind that this is a major event lasting two weeks, during which it will be essential to maintain the energy and motivation of both the organising team and the volunteers,” said Aivar Nigol, Chairman of the Organising Committee.
The BMW IBU World Cup held in March this year gave the organisers an opportunity to test various technical and organisational solutions. A new TV production area, a sports hall housing the media centre, and a team parking area have been completed at the Tehvandi Sports Centre. As all World Championship races will take place in the evening, particular attention has also been paid to improving the lighting along the courses and at the shooting range. “The biggest risk is, of course, the weather. The IBU has advised us to prepare for the worst possible conditions, and that is exactly what we are doing,” explained Hillar Zahkna, Chairman of the Competition Committee. To mitigate weather-related risks, two snow reserves have been preserved at Tehvandi throughout the summer.
Hosting the World Championships differs from organising a World Cup event primarily in terms of its duration and international attention. Over the two weeks, Otepää will welcome more international journalists and TV production crews than ever before. “The World Championships are an event of great significance, and with that comes great responsibility. Television broadcasts will reach approximately 80 countries and hundreds of millions of viewers. Our goal is to organise the best possible World Championships and create memorable experiences for both athletes and spectators,” said Nigol.
The LaVita IBU World Championships Biathlon will take place in Otepää from 9–21 February 2027. Tickets are available via Piletilevi. Admission is free for children aged 14 and under.