It's summer, the sun is shining, the barbecues are glowing - but it's still time to think about a very special winter event: because on Sunday, December 28, 2025, the VELTINS-Arena will once again be the meeting place for the international biathlon elite - spectacular, atmospheric and unique in the world.

If you want to secure the best seats for the bett1.de Biathlon World Team Challenge at Schalke, don't hesitate: advance ticket sales are underway and tickets are available at tickets.schalke04.de or at the Königsblauen Service Center.

Tradition meets innovation

With immediate effect , FC Schalke 04 and the German Ski Association (DSV) are moving even closer together - a partnership that will provide new impetus in terms of sport and organization and creatively develop the successful event. The last time there were changes to the concept was around ten years ago, so this year's 22nd edition is a good time to recharge the biathlon at Schalke with fresh ideas. Fans can look forward to numerous exciting innovations, both in the competition on the cross-country ski run and in the experience surrounding the popular winter village, the music act and the impressive indoor fireworks display.

"The biathlon at Schalke will remain the winter sports event with cult status in 2025 - a highlight in the heart of the Ruhr region that captivates tens of thousands of people every year," emphasizes Matthias Tillmann, CEO of FC Schalke 04. "The cooperation with the DSV creates new strengths - this time it will be even better, even faster, including lots of surprises."

Felix Bitterling, Sports Director Biathlon at the German Ski Association, is optimistic about the upcoming event at Schalke: "The new partnership is already bringing a breath of fresh air in the run-up and has led to close, early coordination between everyone involved. However, this does not change our sporting ambition: as last year, we want to be right at the top again - our goal is the podium. The fact that we were even on the podium with both German teams in 2024 was a strong exclamation mark. We're looking forward to another biathlon highlight at Schalke - with a big stage and enthusiastic fans."

Two German teams and a duo from Belgium take to the track

At the biathlon WTC last December, it was the German teams in particular that caused a stir in the VELTINS Arena: Anna Weidel and Justus Strelow, who was making his debut at Schalke, as well as Franziska Preuß and Philipp Nawrath impressed with a strong performance in the pursuit. Behind the victorious Norwegian duo of Karoline Offigstad Knotten and Sturla Holm Lægreid, Weidel and Strelow took an excellent second place, with Preuß and Nawrath completing the podium in third.

The German starters for this year's event will be announced at a later date. What is already certain, however, is that Lotte Lie and Florent Claude, a well-rehearsed duo from Belgium, will once again be taking part. The two biathletes delivered a convincing performance last year and only just missed out on the podium in fourth place. Now they are a permanent part of the WTC 2025 field of participants, which will once again include numerous top athletes. The names of these athletes will be announced in detail on biathlon-aufschalke.de in the coming months.

Secure tickets now

Advance sales for the Biathlon at Schalke 2025 are in full swing: tickets in various categories are also perfect as gifts and are available at tickets.schalke04.de or tickets.biathlon-aufschalke.de or via the hotline 0180 | 5378873 or 0209 | 9775 1877 and at the Service Center at the FC Schalke 04 office (Ernst-Kuzorra-Weg 1, 45891 Gelsenkirchen).