From 6 to 10 January 2027, the Ruhpolding biathlon World Cup runs six races, and the first start is Wednesday 6 January at 2:15 pm. Partner listings show €82 for three days of racing and €142 for all six races, Wednesday to Sunday. There is no car park for visitors at the arena.
Checked on against the official sources cited (organiser Biathlon Ruhpolding, IBU, gov.uk) and ticketing listings.
4 January is not a race day. The organiser’s official programme starts on Wednesday 6 January 2027 and ends on Sunday 10 January.
1. The Chiemgau Arena, a stadium with no car park for the public
Ruhpolding is a village of about 6,000 people in the Traunstein district of Upper Bavaria. Its St George’s church, on a hill, was built between 1738 and 1754 and has a rococo interior. The village has hosted the biathlon World Cup for several decades: the organiser speaks of « more than 40 years » of racing, but the sources we checked don’t confirm the year it started.
The 2026 edition ran from 14 to 18 January 2026, according to the organiser. Regional press described a strong atmosphere, even though no German athlete reached the individual podium. For 2027, the IBU’s new calendar places the race at the start of January, just after Pokljuka in Slovenia, according to the specialist press. If you’re comparing with another stop of the winter, read our article on the Alpine Skiing World Cup in Adelboden 2027.
Chiemgau Arena, Biathlonzentrum 1, 83324 Ruhpolding
The Chiemgau Arena is Ruhpolding’s biathlon stadium, built to host the World Cup circuit. According to the organiser and its partners, around 25,000 spectators attend each day of racing, a figure given before the 2025 and 2026 editions, with no official report published for 2026. The stated capacity reaches 30,000 spectators per race. Organiser’s arrival page.
Highlights
- Free shuttle from Ruhpolding station, a 15 to 20 minute ride according to the organiser.
- The race ticket includes the train from Munich Hbf to Traunstein and then Ruhpolding, on the day or days printed on the ticket.
- Wheelchair spaces in block A of the main stand, according to the organiser’s accessibility document.
Outside competition, here’s an option with no link to Ruhpolding or the Chiemgau: a guided tour of Salzburg from Munich, listed on Viator. The product lists a 12-hour day with lunch included, and departures are open on 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 January 2027. Each day it leaves from Munich’s central station, lunch is served in a 17th-century restaurant, and cancellation is free. The departures we checked are at 9:15 am on 6, 7 and 8 January, and at 8:15 am on 9 and 10 January. For a 12-hour day, the tour overlaps the afternoon races, which start at 2:15 pm: there’s no time to watch a race in Ruhpolding.
2. The 2027 programme, race by race
The organiser publishes six races over five days: two relays, two sprints and two pursuits. The first three races start at 2:15 pm, the men’s sprint on Saturday is announced for 2:30 pm, and Sunday runs in two parts, with the women’s pursuit at 12:00 pm and the men’s pursuit at 2:45 pm.
| Day | Race | Start time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 6 January | Women’s relay | 2:15 pm | First race |
| Thursday 7 January | Men’s relay | 2:15 pm | Second race |
| Friday 8 January | Women’s sprint | 2:15 pm | Sprint |
| Saturday 9 January | Men’s sprint | 2:30 pm | To be confirmed on the organiser’s website |
| Sunday 10 January | Women’s pursuit | 12:00 pm | First start on Sunday |
| Sunday 10 January | Men’s pursuit | 2:45 pm | Last race |
Source: 2027 programme from the organiser, Biathlon Ruhpolding, checked on 4 November 2026. Distances to be confirmed with the IBU.
4 January is not on the programme. The IBU’s page for Ruhpolding shows an administrative window of « 04 to 10 January 2027 », which matches no race. If an agenda starts the event on 4 January, it is probably using that window; it is not a race day.
The men’s sprint on Saturday 9 January is announced for 2:30 pm by the organiser. One aggregator gives 12:00 pm, but that time corresponds to an arena visit, not the race. An organiser headline dated 20 October 2026 mentions a time change for the men’s sprints; we did not read its content. The page we checked on 4 November 2026 shows 2:30 pm. Check the time on the official page before you block out a slot.
The Championspark, the funfair that goes with the competition, opens on Tuesday 5 January, with a parade of nations according to regional announcements, and runs until Saturday 9 January.
Ruhpolding in the winter calendar
In the 2026-2027 circuit, the Ruhpolding stop falls between Pokljuka in Slovenia, early January, and Antholz-Anterselva in Italy, from 14 to 17 January 2027. The World Championships take place in Otepää, Estonia, from 10 to 21 February 2027. Oberhof, in Germany, moves to March, from 4 to 7 March 2027, according to the IBU’s new calendar. Pokljuka’s dates vary between sources and are not given here. Source: schneehoehen.de, 2026-2027 calendar, checked on 4 November 2026.
3. 2027 tickets: the prices we found and the channel to use
No official 2027 price list was published at the time of checking. The prices below come from ticketing listings, which show « from » prices. They don’t replace the organiser’s rates. Box-office prices, standing places and Sonnentribüne prices were not found for 2027, so they are not published here.
| Product | Valid | From price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generalkarte 2027 | Wednesday to Sunday, 6 to 10 January | €142 | Access to race days, train included on the printed day or days |
| 3-Tages-Karte 2027 | Wednesday to Friday, 6 to 8 January | €82 | Access to three race days |
| Championspark, 5 days | 5 to 9 January | €29 | Funfair, entry from 5:00 pm according to listings |
| Championspark, 1 day | 5 to 9 January | €10 | Funfair, entry from 5:00 pm according to listings |
| Weltcup Touren (arena tour) | Wednesday to Sunday | €27.50 | About 1 hour, 18 people maximum |
Source: ticketing partner listings (mvp.de, Generalkarte and 3-Tages-Karte 2027), checked on 4 November 2026. This is not an official price list. Organiser’s ticketing: Reservix.
Where to buy
The official channel is the organiser’s website, which links to the ticketing platform Reservix. The 2027 listings are also visible at mvp.de, a sales partner that is not the organiser. The opening date for general 2027 sales was not found at the time of checking; the listings are already online. As a precaution, don’t buy from unofficial resellers: no specific case of resale for this edition is documented in open sources.
Which ticket to choose
To attend the races from Wednesday to Friday, the 3-Tages-Karte is listed from €82; no price for a single race was found. To see all six races, the Generalkarte, from €142, covers Wednesday to Sunday. The Championspark doesn’t give access to the races: it’s an option for families or for anyone coming mainly for the atmosphere, from €29 for five days or €10 for one day.
Discounts, children and conditions
- Children: free up to age 5, child ticket for ages 6 to 10, reductions for ages 11 to 17, and for students and disabled visitors with proof.
- Sonnentribüne: no discount on seats in the sun stand, according to the Generalkarte page.
- Refunds: tickets are non-refundable, according to the organiser’s FAQ.
- Ruhpolding residents: Championspark is free Tuesday to Thursday on showing ID, according to a listing. This covers the funfair, not the arena or the races.
- Championspark: holders of a race ticket get in free, according to listings.
The arena tour
The Weltcup Touren tour lasts about an hour, for 18 people at most, and costs from €27.50 according to a listing. It is open with a valid race ticket from Wednesday to Sunday. Strollers are not allowed, and the tour is not wheelchair accessible. A tour with a biathlon shooting session appears in an undated listing at €45.50; that price is not guaranteed for 2027.
4. Getting to Ruhpolding: train, shuttle and car
From the UK, the simplest route goes through Munich. From Munich, change at Traunstein for the regional BRB RB 53 line, which reaches Ruhpolding in about twenty minutes. The journey time from London and the Munich-Traunstein leg were not checked: look up timetables on Deutsche Bahn before you book.
The train
The race ticket includes the train from Munich Hbf to Ruhpolding, on the day or days printed on the ticket. Other trains are not covered. The train does not run directly from Munich to Ruhpolding: you have to change at Traunstein for the BRB line.
The BRB timetables currently published, for 2025-2026, run until 12 December 2026. The 2027 timetables were not published at the time of checking. Don’t plan a specific train time on this basis, and check BRB as soon as they come out.
The free shuttle
A free shuttle links Ruhpolding station to the arena in 15 to 20 minutes. Its indicative times, which may change, are below. Capacity is reduced from 6:00 pm on Wednesday and Thursday, and on Friday and Saturday, according to the indicative times.
| Day | Times | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Monday and Tuesday | 10:30 am to 4:30 pm | Indicative times |
| Wednesday and Thursday | 10:30 am to 7:30 pm | Reduced capacity from 6:00 pm |
| Friday and Saturday | 10:30 am to 9:00 pm | Reduced capacity from 6:00 pm |
| Sunday | 8:30 am to 5:30 pm | Indicative times |
Source: organiser’s arrival page, checked on 4 November 2026. Times to be confirmed before you travel.
On foot, from the village centre, the walk is about 7 km along the Traun. Sources say it takes between an hour and a half and two hours; this distance was not checked on an official map.
By car or taxi
There is no car park for the public at the Chiemgau Arena. From Munich, the drive takes about an hour for 113 km, according to the ADAC route. From Salzburg airport, a taxi firm offers the trip, with no dated fare checked; no direct bus route was found. From the A8 motorway, take the Traunstein or Siegsdorf exit to the B306, then the St2098 towards Ruhpolding.
The fan bus parks at the Holzknechtmuseum, with no access to the arena: the 2027 fare was not found.
Unconfirmed options: a shuttle from Inzell on Wednesday and a park-and-ride at Siegsdorf are mentioned by third-party sites. The organiser does not confirm either option in the pages we checked. Don’t build them into your plan until you’ve verified them.
5. Where to stay: no public 2027 prices, so book early
No public 2027 price was found for Ruhpolding hotels, and the 2026-2027 tourist tax amount is not known. Tourist offices cite four bases: Reit im Winkl, Inzell, Traunstein and Bernau am Chiemsee. The Reit im Winkl tourist office, about 17 km from the arena by its own account, recommends booking early.
A package offer from a hotel in Bernau am Chiemsee, including all meals, was spotted. It comes from a third party, and its per-person price is not an average price, so it is not quoted here. To compare, ask the establishments directly for their rates, specifying nights from 5 to 10 January 2027.
Some accommodation hands out a Chiemgau guest card, which can be included in some packages. Its cost was not found. A place to stay near Ruhpolding station or the shuttle stop makes the trips between village and arena easier, especially in the evening.
To place January 2027 in the German school calendar, read our article on Christmas holidays in Germany 2026-2027, state by state.
6. Outside competition: lake loop, village and Championspark
The three-lake loop: Lödensee, Weitsee and Mittersee
The three-lake loop is described as easy and almost flat, about 4 km long, by the Chiemsee-Chiemgau tourist office. The lakes are a few kilometres from the village. The distance from the centre is not checked, and the state of the paths in winter is not documented in the sources we consulted. Chiemsee-Chiemgau, lake loop.
Highlights
- A short walk with no marked climb, according to the tourist office.
- A change of pace from the arena’s atmosphere, in a landscape of lakes.
The village also has St George’s church, on a hill above the houses. The Holzknechtmuseum, a museum about woodcutters, is listed by a tourist source as open from May to October. Its winter hours were not checked: don’t assume it’s open during the competition.
The Championspark, from Tuesday 5 to Saturday 9 January, offers the funfair, entertainment and the parade of nations. Entry times vary by listing and by day: check them before you go.
7. Indicative budget for three days on site
A full budget can’t be worked out from the public 2027 data. Here is what is priced, and what isn’t.
- Race ticket: from €82 for three days (3-Tages-Karte), or €142 for six races (Generalkarte), according to listings.
- Train between Munich and Ruhpolding: included with the race ticket on the printed day or days. Outside those days, no fare was found.
- Shuttle from the station: free, according to the organiser.
- Travel from the UK to Munich: not priced here, as no dated fare was checked.
- Accommodation: not priced, as no public 2027 price was found for Ruhpolding hotels.
- Food: no venue is recommended, as opening hours during race week were not checked. Book ahead.
What other guides don’t tell you
Four points, checked against official sources (one of them from a search extract), are missing or misreported in the aggregator guides we consulted.
- 4 January is not a race day. The official programme starts on Wednesday 6 January 2027 with the women’s relay at 2:15 pm. Organiser’s programme (checked on 4 November 2026).
- There is no car park for visitors at the Chiemgau Arena. Some guides mention car parks without detail. The organiser states that the shuttle leaves from Ruhpolding station and that the fan bus parks at the Holzknechtmuseum. Organiser’s arrival page (checked on 4 November 2026).
- The race ticket only covers the train on the printed day or days. Few guides mention it. Other trains are not covered. Organiser’s 2027 train page (search extract, 4 November 2026); the day-by-day limit comes from the mvp.de Generalkarte listing (checked on 4 November 2026).
- A British passport holder needs no visa for a short stay, but the passport must meet Schengen rules. ETIAS, the EU’s pre-travel authorisation, is expected to apply to visa-exempt UK visitors once it launches, but no start date has been confirmed. gov.uk, Germany entry requirements (checked on 4 November 2026).
Practical information before you go
A passport valid for your trip is what you need to enter Germany, according to the gov.uk Germany entry requirements, checked on 4 November 2026. For a short stay, British citizens need no visa: up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area. Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before arrival, and must expire at least 3 months after you leave the Schengen area.
The walkways are accessible, and wheelchair spaces are in block A of the main stand. The arena tour is not wheelchair accessible, and strollers are not admitted.
Backpacks are allowed. Plastic bottles must hold one litre at most and be sealed. Glass and cans are banned, and so are dogs, according to the organiser’s accessibility document.
In January, snow is common in Upper Bavaria, but it isn’t guaranteed. No postponement or backup plan has been published for the 2027 edition.
The men’s sprint time on 9 January, the shuttle times and the 2027 BRB timetables once they’re published. These three points still need checking on the official pages before you leave.
Frequently asked questions
What are the dates of the Ruhpolding biathlon World Cup in 2027?
The competition runs from Wednesday 6 to Sunday 10 January 2027 at the Chiemgau Arena, with six races: two relays, two sprints and two pursuits. 4 January is not a race day. These dates come from the organiser’s official programme, checked on 4 November 2026.
Is 4 January 2027 a race day?
No. The official programme starts on Wednesday 6 January with the women’s relay at 2:15 pm. The IBU page shows an administrative window of « 04 to 10 January 2027 », which matches no race. If an agenda starts the event on 4 January, it is probably using that window; it is not a race day.
What is the 2027 programme, day by day?
Wednesday 6 January, women’s relay at 2:15 pm. Thursday 7, men’s relay at 2:15 pm. Friday 8, women’s sprint at 2:15 pm. Saturday 9, men’s sprint, announced for 2:30 pm and to be confirmed. Sunday 10, women’s pursuit at 12:00 pm, then men’s pursuit at 2:45 pm. The table in section 2 repeats these times.
Where can I buy tickets for the Ruhpolding biathlon?
Go through the organiser’s website, which links to the ticketing platform Reservix. The 2027 listings are also visible at mvp.de, a sales partner. Avoid unofficial resellers: tickets are non-refundable, and buying outside the official channel carries an unnecessary risk.
How much does a ticket for the Ruhpolding biathlon World Cup cost?
On the 2027 listings, the Generalkarte starts at €142 for all six races, Wednesday to Sunday, the 3-Tages-Karte, Wednesday to Friday, at €82, and the Championspark at €29 for five days. These are « from » prices at partners, not an official price list. Box-office prices for 2027 were not found.
Can I drive to the Chiemgau Arena?
No. The organiser says there is no access or car park for cars at the Chiemgau Arena. Take the train to Ruhpolding, then the free shuttle, which takes 15 to 20 minutes. The fan bus parks at the Holzknechtmuseum, with no access to the arena. During race week, the B305 is closed to traffic except for shuttles.
Does the race ticket include the train?
Yes, the race ticket includes the train from Munich Hbf to Ruhpolding, on the day or days printed on the ticket. Other trains are not covered. The 2027 BRB timetables had not been published at the time of checking.
Does a UK citizen need a visa or ETIAS for Ruhpolding?
No visa is needed for a short stay. You need a passport valid for the trip, issued less than 10 years before arrival, with at least three months’ validity after you leave the Schengen area. ETIAS, the EU travel authorisation, is expected to apply to visa-exempt UK visitors once it launches, but no start date has been confirmed. Check travel-europe.europa.eu before you book. Source: gov.uk, Germany entry requirements.
Sources
- Biathlon Ruhpolding, tickets and 2027 programme : official programme, times and link to ticketing.
- Biathlon Ruhpolding, arrival : access, no car park, shuttle and indicative times.
- Biathlon Ruhpolding, 2027 train : race ticket and BRB train on the printed day or days (search extract, 4 November 2026); the day-by-day limit comes from the mvp.de Generalkarte page.
- Biathlon Ruhpolding, accessibility information : accessibility and entry rules, document dated October 2025.
- IBU, Ruhpolding venue page : administrative window of 4 to 10 January 2027.
- Reservix, Ruhpolding tickets : ticketing channel linked from the organiser’s site.
- Biathlon Ruhpolding, FAQ : tickets non-refundable, read on 4 November 2026.
- mvp.de, Generalkarte 2027 : partner listing, from €142.
- gov.uk, Germany entry requirements : passport rules and visa-free stays of up to 90 days in the Schengen area.
- ADAC, route Munich to Ruhpolding : 113 km, about an hour by car.
- schneehoehen.de, 2026-2027 calendar : dates of the stops and the World Championships.
- German Wikivoyage, Ruhpolding : population and St George’s church.
- Reit im Winkl, Biathlon World Cup Ruhpolding : about 17 km away, and advice to book early.
- Chiemsee-Chiemgau, three-lake loop : about 4 km of path, almost flat.
Sources checked on 4 November 2026. Prices are from listings, not official price lists. Times remain to be confirmed.
Plan your trip with Pixidia
Pixidia learns how you travel and helps you build a trip that truly fits you and everyone coming along.
Open the planner