Industry News
The International Biathlon Union (IBU) has released several fundamental changes for the 2024-25 season. These changes primarily concern the point system as well as the prize money awarded to athletes during World Cup and World Championship events. However changes regarding bibs, starting systems, etc. were also part of the IBU announcement. Biathlon is regulated by the IBU and not the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), while cross-country events do fall under FIS regulation.
The prize money is increased for most events and positions for ranks 2-30, representing an increase in prize money to a total of €9,366,700 ($10,452,740). With these changes, the prize fund for each race has been increased from €93,750 ($104,527) to €101,500 ($113,168). The prize money for first place remains unchanged at €25,000 ($27.877).
By comparison, a male World Cup Alpine skier can earn up to €100,000 (111,508) for first place—the highest-paid race in the men’s calendar is the famous Hahnenkamm Race in Kitzbühel, Austria. The highest female prize money is awarded in the Slalom at Flachau, Austria, with €60,000 ($66,920). Meanwhile, many other FIS competitions like Moguls, Big Air, or Snowboard events award athletes prize money more in line with the biathlon World Cup prize money.
Additionally, the IBU has announced updates to the start group system for Sprint and Individual competitions. The Top 15 of the Total Score Standings start their competition later in the running order, always alternating with an athlete outside the Top 30. For more information and details on the new start group system, visit the IBU website.
Also, the bib system for several biathlon events has changed. The defending Champions of the previous World Championships in the respective single competition format will wear a designated golden start number during the World Championships instead of a conventional start number. There will be no yellow, red, or blue bibs at the World Championships anymore. Furthermore, the blue bib award for the best young athlete will only be awarded to the best athlete under 23 years of age, as opposed to the best athlete under 25 in the previous seasons. The leader in the U23 category will also receive €500 ($557) prize money for every competition in which they wear the blue bib.
In further changes, the IBU announced that from 2024-25, the athletes with the best net times in the pursuits will receive an additional prize money of €2,000 ($2,227). The athletes with the best leg times in relays will also receive additional prize money. The Mass Start competition entries will consist of the top 25 competitors in the current World Cup Total Score, and the remaining five competitors will be filled in, in rank order from the points they have acquired at the current World Cup event. In case an athlete from the Top 25 of the Total Score standings cannot participate, they will be replaced with the next best athlete in points from the current World Cup event and not the next best athlete in the World Cup Total Score. Last but not least, Single Mixed Relay and Mixed Relay at the IBU Cup will count toward the “Relay Discipline Score” as opposed to separate “Mixed Relay Discipline Score.”
There are also several proposals awaiting approval by the next IBU congress, including the new qualification system for the IBU Cup and Junior Cup starting with the 2026-27 season, a Biathlon refugee team, and new age classes for junior and youth. For more information, visit the IBU website.
