Rain of money shortly before the Olympics
This is how high the prize money is in the Biathlon World Cup
Updated 11/26/2025 – 1:02 p.mReading time: 1 min.
More money for the biathlon stars: The IBU is significantly increasing the prize money in the World Cup this season. The reason is the 2026 Olympic Games.
It starts on the last weekend in November, with the Biathlon World Cup starting in Östersund. Franziska Preuß’ mission to defend her title then begins in Sweden, after all, the German won the overall World Cup last season.
And the financial incentive in biathlon is growing, thanks to a noticeable increase in prize money. The reason for this is the Olympic winter: Because there will be no World Championships in 2026, the bonuses provided for this will flow entirely into the World Cup. According to the world association IBU, this increases the distribution amount by almost 1.6 million euros – to a total of 9.3 million euros. This is the same amount as last year, but with a different distribution in favor of the World Cup races.
In the future, individual victories will be rewarded with 20,000 euros – that’s 5,000 euros more than before. Second place is also paid better: 16,000 euros instead of the previous 12,000. Third place will receive 13,000 euros, previously it was 10,000.
In addition, the prize money for the overall World Cup was also adjusted. Whoever wins the big crystal ball at the end of the season will now receive 45,000 euros – 5,000 euros more than last year. The bonuses for discipline ratings are also increasing. Last winter, Franziska Preuß secured overall victory just ahead of Frenchwoman Lou Jeanmonnot. Sturla Holm Lægreid triumphed in the men’s category.