Otepää makes final preparations for the Biathlon World Cup Stage

From 12 to 15 March 2026, Otepää will host a BMW IBU Biathlon World Cup stage at

the Tehvandi Sports Center for the second time in history. The organizing team has

entered the final phase of preparations – the courses are in excellent condition, and

the grandstands are taking shape.

In the second week of March, more than 200 athletes and nearly 300 team members from

32 countries will arrive in Otepää. The largest teams will come from Norway, Sweden, Italy,

Germany, and France, while smaller delegations, including Denmark, will also be

represented. Two weeks ahead of the competition, the technical preparations for the World

Cup stage are on schedule. “The Tehvandi Sports Center has a sufficient snow reserve, and

the courses will remain in very good condition even if winter were to end unexpectedly.

Some of the additional spectator stands have already been installed,” said Hillar Zahkna,

Chairman of the Competition Committee.

The World Cup stage is expected to reach nearly 100 million viewers worldwide through

television broadcasts, with around 15,000 spectators in Otepää on both weekend days. “I am

confident that we will deliver a successful World Cup event. The International Biathlon Union

(IBU) has repeatedly recognized the work of our organizing team, which confirms that we are

on the right track. We see this year’s World Cup stage as a full-scale rehearsal ahead of

hosting the World Championships in 2027,” said Aivar Nigol, Chairman of the Organizing

Committee.

Around 300 volunteers are contributing to the organization of the event, each playing a vital

role. The smooth running of the competition week depends entirely on their dedication and

teamwork. “Our core volunteer group has been working together for years, and many also

bring valuable experience from 2022, when we hosted our first World Cup stage,” Zahkna

added. The largest number of volunteers are engaged in security, at the shooting range, and

in stadium construction.

A significant part of the preparations is dedicated to sustainability, as Otepää has been

selected as the first competition venue required to meet ISO standards for event

organization. “This calls for a more systematic approach to reducing environmental impact,

enhancing resource efficiency, and ensuring responsible event management across the

organizing team, partners, and volunteers,” said Nigol.