The Biathlon at the 2026 Winter Olympics will unfold at the scenic Anterselva Biathlon Arena, a venue known for its high-altitude tracks and challenging shooting lanes. This sport blends cross-country skiing with precision rifle shooting, creating an intense contest where physical endurance meets calm, controlled accuracy. Athletes navigate long skiing trails while managing their heart rate to shoot cleanly, making biathlon one of the most unpredictable and exciting winter Olympic events.
In Milano-Cortina 2026, biathlon will feature multiple competitions including individual races, sprints, pursuits, mass starts, and relay events. Each format tests athletes differently—some favor endurance, while others highlight speed, timing, and strategic shooting. Below is a detailed guide to the complete schedule, event timings, and a clean medal table layout you can use on your site once results begin to update.
What Is Biathlon? A Short Overview
Biathlon is a discipline rooted in winter survival traditions of Northern Europe. Today, it stands as a premier Olympic event that tests:
- Stamina through long-distance skiing
- Accuracy through prone and standing shooting
- Tactical decision-making under physical stress
- Penalty loops or added time for missed targets
Each race is structured around skiing segments separated by shooting rounds (also called bouts). While there is no time limit for shooting, every missed shot carries a consequence—either an extra loop or a time penalty—creating dramatic shifts in rankings.
Biathlon at the 2026 Winter Olympics Schedule
All events will take place at Anterselva Biathlon Arena in Italy. Below is the day-by-day schedule based strictly on your provided data.
2026 Biathlon Events Schedule & Timings
| Date | Day | Venue | Time | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08 February | Sunday | Anterselva Biathlon Arena | 14:05 | Mixed Relay 4×6 km (M+W) |
| 10 February | Tuesday | Anterselva Biathlon Arena | 13:30 | Men’s 20 km Individual |
| 11 February | Wednesday | Anterselva Biathlon Arena | 14:15 | Women’s 15 km Individual |
| 13 February | Friday | Anterselva Biathlon Arena | 14:00 | Men’s 10 km Sprint |
| 14 February | Saturday | Anterselva Biathlon Arena | 14:00 | Women’s 7.5 km Sprint |
| 15 February | Sunday | Anterselva Biathlon Arena | 11:15 | Men’s 12.5 km Pursuit |
| 15 February | Sunday | Anterselva Biathlon Arena | 14:45 | Women’s 10 km Pursuit |
| 17 February | Tuesday | Anterselva Biathlon Arena | 14:30 | Men’s 4×7.5 km Relay |
| 18 February | Wednesday | Anterselva Biathlon Arena | 14:45 | Women’s 4×6 km Relay |
| 20 February | Friday | Anterselva Biathlon Arena | 14:15 | Men’s 15 km Mass Start |
| 21 February | Saturday | Anterselva Biathlon Arena | 14:15 | Women’s 12.5 km Mass Start |
Note: The Olympic organizing committee may adjust timings or formats as the competition approaches.
More Updates: Alpine Skiing at the 2026 Winter Olympics Schedule.
Breakdown of Biathlon Events at Milano-Cortina 2026
Mixed Relay 4×6 km
- A team event featuring two men and two women
- Athletes alternate skiing and shooting
- Requires efficient transitions and consistent shooting to avoid penalty loops
Individual Races (Men’s 20 km & Women’s 15 km)
- Known as the most endurance-heavy discipline
- Each missed target adds a fixed time penalty
- Strategy and shooting accuracy are crucial as time penalties accumulate quickly
Sprint Races
- Shortest and fastest races
- Results determine starting positions for the pursuit events
- A single mistake can result in athletes dropping significantly in placements
Pursuit Races
- Start order is based on sprint results
- Creates dramatic chases as athletes try to close gaps
- Includes multiple shooting rounds, increasing pressure
Relay Events
- Four athletes per national team
- Mandatory shooting sequences
- Relays often produce surprise results due to high-pressure shooting
Mass Start Events
- Only top-ranked athletes qualify
- All competitors start together
- Tight groups make penalty loops extremely costly
Biathlon Medal Table Template for 2026
Once competition begins, this section can be updated with real-time medal results. Here is a clean table structure:
2026 Biathlon Medal Table
| Rank | Country | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 3 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 4 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 5 | — | — | — | — | — |
You can easily update this after each race to create a live medal-tracking section for your website.
Why Biathlon Is One of the Most Exciting Winter Olympic Sports
The sport offers a unique mix of:
- Speed and endurance on skis
- High-pressure shooting
- Unpredictable race outcomes
- Outdoor mountain atmosphere
- Intense national rivalries
Even a leading athlete can drop several spots after a single shooting error, making every moment count.
For broadcasters, bloggers, and fans, biathlon delivers some of the most visually engaging and emotionally charged moments of the Games.
Venue Spotlight: Anterselva Biathlon Arena
The 2026 events will be hosted in Anterselva (Antholz), a historic biathlon venue famous for:
- High-altitude tracks
- Crisp winter conditions
- A dedicated biathlon culture
- Iconic mountain scenery
The venue’s elevation makes the competition physically demanding and often influences shooting accuracy, adding another layer of complexity to the sport.
Final Thoughts
Biathlon at the 2026 Winter Olympics promises an intense mix of endurance, precision, and strategy. With its combination of skiing power and disciplined shooting, each event can shift dramatically within seconds. The schedule above provides a complete guide to every race, helping fans follow the action from the first relay to the final mass start.