Holmenkollen to Host Biathlon World Championship in 2029 with Plans for Unique Relay in Frogner Park

Originally published in Eurosport on September 28, 2024

Holmenkollen is set to host the Biathlon World Championships in 2029, featuring an exciting mixed relay that will take place among the stunning sculptures of Frogner Park. This announcement was made during the recent International Biathlon Union (IBU) congress held in Belgrade on Saturday.

Competing against Austria’s Hochfilzen and Finland’s Kontiolahti, Holmenkollen had applied to host the championships for either 2028 or 2029. Hochfilzen is confirmed to host the event in 2028.

Oslo Mayor Anne Lindboe shared her excitement about the tournament, reminiscing about her childhood at Holmenkollen: "We Norwegians love biathlon. I have loved biathlon since my father took me to Holmenkollen when I was young."

The Norwegian delegation emphasized Holmenkollen's legendary place in the skiing world and noted that biathlon currently reigns as the most-watched winter sport among Norwegian audiences. They have vowed to upgrade facilities at Holmenkollen for the benefit of the public, athletes, and media.

In a bold move, Emilie Nordskar of the Norwegian Biathlon Federation has expressed the ambition to shift the mixed relay from Kollen to Frogner Park. This initiative aims to make biathlon more accessible to the public by showcasing the opening relay in central Oslo, one of Norway’s key attractions.

The event is envisioned to be free for attendees, featuring temporary shooting ranges and designed to welcome a large crowd.

The last time the world’s elite biathletes competed for medals in Oslo was in 2016, with Norway finishing as the second-best nation, trailing behind France.

Holmenkollen has previously hosted the World Championships in 1999, 2000, and 2002. Recently, however, controversies have arisen concerning government proposals to alter funding for national sports venues, which could impact Kollen’s status as a prominent site for biathlon and Nordic sports.

Looking ahead, the final World Cup event of the current season will occur at Holmenkollen from March 17 to 23. The forthcoming World Championships will be held in Lenzerheide, Switzerland, in February, with Otepää, Estonia, slated to host in 2027.