IBSF Releases 2026/2027 Bobsleigh & Skeleton Season Calendar: Key Dates & Events

The International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) has officially released the sports calendar for the 2026/2027 season, outlining a competitive schedule that will culminate in the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics. The updated calendar, published on May 17, 2025, details a series of World Cup events across seven disciplines, featuring eight tracks in six countries. This announcement marks a critical step in preparing athletes for the upcoming Olympic Winter Games, which are set to take place in February 2026.

Key Events and Venues

The 2025-2026 IBSF World Cup season will begin at the Eugenio Monti Sliding Centre in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy—a venue that will also host the 2026 Olympic Winter Games. A 10-day International Training Period, scheduled for November 7–16, 2025, will allow athletes to acclimate to the rebuilt Olympic track. This preparatory phase is designed to ensure competitors are fully prepared for the high-stakes competition ahead.

Following the opening event, the World Cup will travel to Innsbruck (Austria), Lillehammer (Norway), and Sigulda (Latvia). Additional stops include Winterberg, and St. Moritz (Switzerland), with the latter hosting the European Championships. The season will conclude with the final event on the newly reopened Königssee sliding track in Germany, which was partially damaged during flooding in 2021. The Königssee Final is scheduled for March 2–8, 2026, and is expected to draw significant attention as a symbolic closing to the World Cup season.

Connection to the 2026 Olympic Winter Games

The 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milano-Cortina will serve as the pinnacle of the IBSF’s competitive calendar. The World Cup events leading up to the Games are strategically positioned to provide athletes with opportunities to qualify and refine their performance. The IBSF has emphasized the importance of these events in determining Olympic participation, with the Olympic Qualification System for both bobsleigh and skeleton available on its official website.

The calendar also includes races in Altenberg, Germany, which will act as a key preparatory stop for athletes aiming to secure their spots in the Olympics. The inclusion of multiple European venues underscores the IBSF’s commitment to fostering global participation and ensuring a diverse range of competitive experiences for athletes.

Updates and Future Plans

In addition to the World Cup schedule, the IBSF has announced plans to release updates on the Asian Cup Series and Para Bobsleigh events for the 2025-2026 season. These additions reflect the federation’s efforts to expand its reach and promote inclusivity within the sport. The IBSF’s Environmental Guidelines and Track Rules will also be integral to the season’s operations, emphasizing sustainability and safety standards.

The federation’s focus on transparency is evident in its provision of detailed schedules, rules, and qualification criteria. Athletes, teams, and fans can access the full 2025-2026 IBSF Sport Calendar on the official IBSF website, though the document notes that it may be subject to change. This flexibility allows the IBSF to adapt to unforeseen circumstances while maintaining the integrity of the competition.

The release of the 2026/2027 calendar represents a significant milestone for the IBSF and its global community of athletes. By aligning the World Cup events with the Olympic cycle, the federation ensures a structured pathway for competitors to achieve their goals. As the 2026 Winter Olympics approach, the focus will shift to the final preparations, with the IBSF playing a central role in shaping the narrative of the upcoming Games.