New World Cup Final and Roller Skiing among 2027/28 season proposals

The Cross-Country World Cup subcommittee met at last week’s FIS Autumn Meetings in Geneva (SUI) to discuss plans for the season ahead and beyond.

The 2026/27 FIS Cross-Country World Cup calendar was approved with just one minor change from that proposed at the Spring Meetings. For the third season stop at Davos (SUI), the order has been changed as the Team Sprint Free swaps dates with the 5km Heat Mass Start Free.

The Team Sprint Free will now kick off the Davos World Cup weekend on Friday December 11, with the Sprint Free still scheduled for the Saturday. The Heat Mass Start now ends the weekend on the Sunday.

Davos hosts the first of the season’s two Heat Mass Starts. It was agreed that the format regarding assignment of athletes to heats would remain as per the last edition. The other Heat Mass Start is set for Obertsdorf (GER) during the FIS Tour de Ski (TdS). As approved in the spring, TdS will visit Les Rousses (FRA) for the first time, and end in traditional style in Val di Fiemme (ITA).

In the case of challenging snow conditions resulting in shorter laps than planned being used in the TdS Mass Start, Skiathlon and Pursuit races, the Jury will have the option of employing time limits rather than the overlapping rule. These proposals have been submitted to the FIS Council for final approval.

• The FIS Council approved specific conditions for athletes from Belarus and Russia to compete as Individual Neutral Athletes. These are:

• Signing a declaration of neutrality based on principles established by FIS.

• Continuous monitoring of compliance, with sanctions available in the event of a breach.

Participation solely in individual events, without national symbols such as flags, anthems or uniforms, and the meeting of all applicable anti-doping requirements.

World Cup Final on horizon as of 2027/28

With FIS boosting the visibility of the Crystal Globes across all disciplines as part of its general strategy, the Cross-Country World Cup has plans for a new World Cup Final concept - with the globes central to it - as of the 2027/28 season.

The idea is to present a coherent narrative concerning both the competition for the big Crystal Globe, and the excitement of a World Cup Final as a stage event that gives athletes plenty to compete for each day. The event should present exciting competition formats, and be a platform where fans, athletes, teams and sponsors have a chance to meet and share the joy of Cross-Country Skiing.

The key elements of the World Cup Final should be focused on the big Crystal Globe, with the Sprint and Distance World Cups possibly decided and awarded before the closing weekend. The Overall World Cup might still be up for grabs, but there would also be a World Cup Final ranking with Overall World Cup points and prize money to be awarded.

Based on the Overall World Cup standing, the World Cup Final would have a limited start field with extra spots for reigning Junior and U23 champions, and Continental Cup leaders or winners. A wild card system may also be implemented, offering the possibility of racing to athletes not coming from the FIS Cross-Country World Cup. Details of the World Cup Final are being worked on and will be presented in Spring 2027.

Evolution of Cross-Country formats

Conversations regarding the evolution of Cross-Country formats within the Cross-Country Skiing community will continue with the aim to discuss concrete proposals in Spring 2027.

This evolution within the existing framework should be assessed with the aim of delivering greater sporting and entertainment value, especially in terms of racing dynamics, position changes, unpredictability, head-to-head competition, and team events.

Extending the World Cup season, increasing Cross-Country Skiing’s visibility

One potential stop under consideration for the 2027/28 season is an event on roller skis as put forward by Italy’s National Ski Association, the Federazione Italiana Sport Invernali (FISI). Citing global warming and the struggles organizers are facing to host races, FISI has submitted a proposal for a “summer stage” in the World Cup calendar.

Highlighting the low cost and sustainability of such an event, without the need for technical snow or ski wax, FISI is keen to identify a spot in the calendar that would allow enough preparation time for the athletes, teams, media and stakeholders.

During the summer of 2026, different possibilities for integrating Roller Skiing have already been explored. This topic needs further evaluation to identify its potential from sport, commercial and broadcasting perspectives. The proposal has been sent to the Cross-Country Committee for further evaluation and discussion.

International Ski Competition Rules Updates

A few International Ski Competition Rules (ICR) updates were supported by the Cross-Country Committee and submitted to the FIS Council for final approval.

The Jury will have the possibility not to apply the overlapping rule in stage events at the World Cup. And precision of the rank penalty was supported by the Cross-Country Committee.

If approved by the FIS Council, these changes will be marked up in the latest version of the ICR.