Biathlon World Cup Oberhof: Preview, schedule, how to watch

The 2024/2025 Biathlon World Cup is poised for its next thrilling chapter in Oberhof, Germany. Following December's high-octane stops in Kontiolahti, Hochfilzen, and Le Grand-Bornand, the world’s best biathletes now converge at the iconic Arena am Rennsteig.

From 9-12 January, Oberhof will host sprints, pursuits, and mixed relay events, promising a weekend of electrifying competition on the snowy slopes of Thuringia.

With the season in full swing and just over a year until the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, the anticipation is rising.

Both current World Cup ranking leaders, Johannes Thingnes Bø and Franziska Preuss, are set to hit the slopes in Oberhof, and fans can look forward to more moments of brilliance at this celebrated biathlon venue.

Here's everything you need to know ahead of the competition, including the full schedule and how to watch the action live.

Biathlon World Cup Oberhof: athletes to watch

The German crowd will have plenty to cheer for as Franziska Preuss takes to the snow in the yellow bib. Leading the overall rankings, the Beijing 2022 Olympic bronze medallist has been a model of consistency this season.

Joining her is Sophia Schneider, a name that’s generating buzz ahead of her World Cup debut in Oberhof. Schneider’s silver-medal performance at the 2023 World Championships in this very venue proves she’s no stranger to pressure. Now, under the watchful eyes of the home crowd, she’ll look to harness that momentum and make her mark at the senior level.

Chasing Preuss is Sweden’s Elvira Oberg, who holds second place in the standings. Elvira has her sights set on claiming the top spot.

Adding to Sweden’s firepower is the much-anticipated return of her sister, Hanna Oberg. The two-time Olympic champion and three-time world champion missed the last competition due to illness, but is back to prove why she’s one of the sport’s greatest talents.

They will face stiff competition in the form of Austria’s 2021 mass start world champion Lisa Theresa Hauser and France’s Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, the reigning Olympic mass start champion.

Bouchet's compatriot and rising star Paula Botet also steps into the spotlight, earning her World Cup spot after impressive early-season results, replacing Sophie Chauveau on the French roster.

On the men’s side, Johannes Thingnes Bø of Norway is the name on everyone’s lips. With five Olympic gold medals and a string of World Cup victories this season, Bø is the embodiment of dominance.

Sweden's Sebastian Samuelsson, the 2018 relay Olympic champion and 2023 Oberhof mass start world champion, is still on the quest to accomplish his season goal of beating Bø. Samuelsson’s versatility has earned him world medals across six different disciplines, and at 27, he’s far from done.

Martin Ponsiluoma, another Swedish standout, adds to the team’s strength. With seven world medals and recent podiums in Kontiolahti and Hochfilzen, Ponsiluoma is peaking at just the right time.

France’s squad is stacked with talent, from Quentin Fillon-Maillet, the five-time Olympic medallist from Beijing 2022, to Émilien Jacquelin, currently ranked third overall.

As the first race looms, questions abound. Will Preuss and Schneider deliver on home soil? Can Elvira Oberg outshine her returning sister? And will Johannes Bø continue his reign, or will rivals rise to the occasion?

Read on to discover where you can watch all the action.

Biathlon World Cup Oberhof schedule

Thursday, 9 January

• 14:20 CET: 7.5km Sprint, Women

Friday, 10 January

• 14:20 CET: 10km Sprint, Men

Saturday, 11 January

• 12:30 CET: 10km Pursuit, Women
• 14:45 CET: 12.5km Pursuit, Men

Sunday, 12 January

• 12:20 CET: Single Mixed Relay, Men + Women
• 14:30 CET: Mixed Relay, Men + Women

Biathlon World Cup Oberhof: Where to watch

Fans worldwide can catch the action live, with Eurovision Sport and BiathlonWorld.com streaming events globally, except in Norway and France.

For a detailed list of broadcasters per country, visit the IBU website here.