Organising WOC, World Cup and JWOC

Applicants view of organising WOC

The World Orienteering Championships (WOC) is the IOFs premiere event. WOC is held annually. In odd years the WOC formats are forest-based including a Middle Distance qualification, Middle Distance and Long Distance finals and a relay competition. In even years the WOC formats are sprint-based including a time-trial Sprint competition (qualification and final), a Knock-out Sprint competition (qualifications, quarterfinals, semifinals and final) and a Sprint Relay (mixed-gender). The quality of the competition areas and maps shall be at the very highest level for WOC. Attention should also be given to the arena and spectator experience as this is the premiere event for visibility of athletes and the sport. Finally, attention shall be given to the media, including live TV production and media services. WOC attracts approximately 400 athletes and 100-150 team officials from 50+ countries.

We encourage all countries with the ambition to organise a WOC to prepare and submit a bid for the event. The bidding period for WOC 2028 is open from 1st May until 31st December 2023. (It’s also possible to choose to apply for WOC2029-2031 within the time frames set for WOC2028.) Usually there is more than one applicant. Therefore it is important for an applicant to form an sustainable and attractive bid. The information about what a bid should contain and application forms can be found in the Application notes for WOC applications, see here: Apply for an event.

Applicants view of organising World Cup

The orienteering World Cup is one of the IOFs premiere events. Orienteering World Cup is arranged annually. The quality of the competition areas and maps shall be at the very highest level for World Cup. Attention should also be given to the arena and spectator experience as this is the premiere event for visibility of athletes and the sport. Finally, attention shall be given to the media, including live TV production and media services.

Orienteering World Cup consist of minimum three rounds every year. It is important for an applicant to form an sustainable and attractive bid. Countries that are interested in organising a World Cup round should contact IOF CEO, Henrik Eliasson, for more information.

Applicants view of organising JWOC

The Junior World Orienteering Championships (JWOC) is the most important event for the best juniors in the World. It is an event held annually in July with the intention of finding the Junior World Champions. When it comes to the competition and terrain, maps and courses, the quality should be comparable to that of a WOC and the arenas and arena production should make the event interesting for spectators as well as viewers in the internet. But apart from this, the cost of participating should be low and the event should be organised in a way, that promotes a strong social atmosphere among the athletes. Usually, JWOC attracts 300 athletes and 100 team officials from approximately 40 countries.

The JWOC programme consists of an individual Sprint, Sprint Relay, Forest Long distance, Forest Middle distance and a forest Relay.

We encourage all countries with the ambition to organise a JWOC to prepare and sumbit a bid for the event. The bidding period for JWOC 2027 is open from 1st May until 31st December 2023. Usually there is more than applicant. Thererfore it is important for an applicant to form an sustainable and attractive bid. The information about what a bid should contain and application forms can be found in the Application notes for JWOC applications, see here: Apply for an event.

Potential applicants are encouraged to contact IOF Foot O-commission with all questions they may have about an application.