Due to the fact that the selection process requires USOPC oversight and approval in an Olympic year, the final approval and publication of both the Olympic Selection Criteria and the related International Team Selection Criteria will take place later than in a non-Olympic year. We anticipate receiving final approvals and publishing the criteria by the end of August. In the meantime, we would like to share several logistical details in advance to support planning for fall and winter travel. Please note that all information in this memo remains subject to change pending approval from the USOPC, ICC, and the U.S. Biathlon Board of Directors on the 2025/26 International Team Selection and Olympic Selection Criteria.

Utah Trials:

• Location: Soldier Hollow Nordic Center in Midway, UT
• Formats TBD: 3 races, 2 of the races being Sprint format
• Dates: 3 races taking place on or between Sep. 30 - Oct. 4, 2025

Domestic On-Snow Trials:

• Location: Craftsbury Outdoor Center in Craftsbury, VT
• Formats TBD: 3 races, 2 of the races being Sprint format
• Dates: 3 races taking place on or between Dec. 18 - 21, 2025

European-Based Olympic Selection Races:

• Location: TBD location in Central Europe
• Formats: 3 races, 2 of the races being Sprint format
• Dates: 3 races taking place on or between Jan. 2 - 5, 2026

• Following the Utah Trials, U.S. Biathlon will send a team of 8 athletes per gender to Obertilliach, AUT to participate in the On-snow European Pre-Season Camp. The team will arrive in Europe on Nov. 9, 2025. The final spots to the initial World Cup and IBU Cups will be determined at the conclusion of this camp.
• Phase 1 of the Olympic Winter Games Selection process was published on Dec. 2, 2024 as the “Preliminary Notice” criteria, and can be found HERE.
• Phase 2 of the Olympic Winter Games Selection process will conclude following the completion of World Cup 3, Annecy, FRA.  By the end of Phase 2, 2 of 4 Olympic team spots per gender will be filled.
• Phase 3 and 4 (the final two phases of the Olympic Winter Games Selection pathway) will take place through the European-Based Olympic Selection Races. These races will feature 6 athletes/gender competing for 2/gender remaining Olympic Winter Games slots. Athletes may qualify for the European-Based Olympic Selection Races via two pathways:
• 1. International Pathway: 
• Any athlete who is named to WC 1-2 but not WC 3 will qualify to compete.
• Any athlete who is named to IBUC 3.
• 2. Domestic Pathway:
• Additional athlete(s) will be named through the Domestic On-Snow Trials until a team size of 6 per gender is reached.

*NOTE: athletes not qualified for IBU Cup 3 will need to compete in Domestic On-Snow Trials in order to qualify for European Selection Races.