Salzburg, Austria – The German Ski Association (DSV) and Norwegian Biathlon Association (NSSF) have extended their cooperation with Infront ahead of time through to the 2025/26 season, meaning Infront remains the exclusive marketing rights partner for all BMW IBU World Cup Biathlon events taking place in Germany and Norway.
In addition, Infront has signed its first biathlon marketing rights-in contract with Swiss Ski for any and all BMW IBU World Cup Biathlon events taking place in Switzerland.
As one of the most popular winter sports in Europe, the commercial platform of the BMW IBU World Cup Biathlon provides a unique opportunity for comprehensive brand exposure in Germany and Norway – two top biathlon markets.
The biathlon season begins on 2 December in Pokljuka, Slovenia, and ends on 24 March in Oslo, Norway. The season features BMW IBU World Cup Biathlon races in nine different locations with the highlight - the IBU World Championships Biathlon – taking place in Östersund, Sweden, from 7-17 March 2019.
Bruno Marty, Infront Senior Vice President Winter Sports said: "The early prolongation means a lot to Infront. It demonstrates the level of trust and the strength of the partnership that we have built and with this long-term security, we wish to continue strengthening the link between biathlon and top international brands. And we are thrilled to welcome Swiss Ski into our biathlon portfolio.”
Stefan Schwarzbach, Board Member Communication/Marketing of the German Ski Association said: "The partnership with Infront is a central pillar of the marketing concept of the German Skiing Association. This early extension will give us an additional level of planning security for both the biathlon and two World Cup events in Oberhof and Ruhpolding beyond the current Olympic cycle."
Markus Wolf, Managing Director Swiss Ski said: "We are looking forward to welcoming the Biathlon World Cup in Switzerland in the near future and are delighted to have Infront as an experts in biathlon marketing by our side at the world-class infrastructure of the Biathlon Arena in Lenzerheide. With Infront as our marketer we are ready for the upcoming IBU Cup, the Junior World Championships 2020 and for the World Cup events.
Stig Flatebø, Acting Secretary General/Chief Financial Officer of the Norwegian Biathlon Association: "We are very pleased to extend our cooperation with Infront. The agreement will give our World Cup event a consistent and secure income for the next few years alongside a partner we have had a long and positive collaboration with. We look forward to continue working with Infront to develop both our sport and events further."
Infront is a leading sports marketing company managing a comprehensive portfolio of top properties. Infront covers all aspects of successful sporting events, including the distribution of media rights, sponsorship, media production, event operation and digital solutions. Headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, Infront has a team of more than 1,000 staff working from 39 offices across more than 14 countries, delivering 4,100 event days of top class sport around the world every year. In 2015, Infront was integrated into Wanda Sports Group, part of Chinese conglomerate Dalian Wanda Group.