General
There is two procedures for applying for IOF Events and this page is divided into two sections:- Major Events (World Championships; World Cups and Regional Championships)
- World Ranking Events (WRE)
Major Events
Open Applications
Major IOF Events for which applications are currently open can be seen from the file links below to the relevant application form. In Foot Orienteering it's now possible to apply for the following World Championships:- WOC2030 & WOC2031
- WMOC2029 & WMOC2030
- JWOC2029
The file links are structured by discipline. The links lead to files for application forms: each file name shows the type of Major IOF Event, and the calendar year, for which application can currently be made. Each form is accompanied by guidance notes that explain how the form should be completed, and how to deliver a strong application.
There are also links to documents setting out
- The IOF Conflicting Dates Policy
- An overview of IOF Event Service Fees and Anti-doping Contributions. The levels of these fees are set (in EUR) by IOF Council, following an annual review, and the overview is published in May each year, when the period begins for applications due by 31 December that year. (The fees are also found in the Application Notes for each event and finally written into the contract that the IOF signs with the organising federation after an event has been appointed.)
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World Ranking Events (WRE)
All Federations are strongly encouraged to make applications for some of their top quality races to have IOF WRE status. This essentially involves a strong focus on the Elite classes. Most top quality events with an Elite competitor focus will already meet the standards that the IOF expects from its WREs without great investment of extra effort. However, to justify a race being recognised as an IOF Event, and to reassure competitors visiting the country for the event that their travel is worthwhile, an element of standardisation and quality control is important. The Elite races must be run under the IOF Rules of Competition rather than domestic rules. An IOF Event Adviser (who will however normally be based in the country where the WRE takes place) will be responsible for quality control and ensuring that the guidance of the IOF WRE Manual is being applied. These extra obligations should nevertheless not be onerous. WREs are important for all Elite class athletes. The World Ranking points that athletes earn from participating in WREs do not just give kudos: the rankings often determine the start list ordering at Major IOF Events and other WREs. Ranking points are also the basis for the IOF Federation League Table, which is used to determine entry number quotas for each Federation for the World Cup. As well as through satisfying needs of their own elite athletes, Federations also benefit from WRE status for an event by having it included in the IOF Eventor fixture list of IOF Events. This, and other advertising for the event that identify it as a WRE, offer a reliable indication of quality for all classes, and so can enhance entry numbers for all classes. IMPORTANT UPDATE: in July 2025 IOF Council decided to implement a premium label, Gold WRE, and programme within the Foot Orienteering World Ranking Event (“WRE”) scheme starting from 2026 season. The IOF is introducing the Gold WRE label to highlight the most prominent WREs, and deliver extra promotion and recognition due to their prestige. The premium label will also serve as a guide to WREs that attracts a more international start field and/or financial support towards the athletes. Further information for organisers and a FAQ on the Gold WRE label is available here. For the 2026 season organisers need to indicate their interest of recieving the Gold WRE label by sending an email to [email protected] right after submitting the normalt application in IOF Eventor. Please describe briefly and as objectively as possible why the IOF should consider including "your" WRE as part of the Gold WRE programme. Below is the benefits for Organisers and Athletes summarized:Benefits for Organisers
- Enhanced publicity and marketing as a high-profile Gold WRE.
- Opportunity to attract more elite athletes and boost entry numbers.
- Potential pathway to hosting higher-tier events like the World Cup or WOC.
- Assistance in securing sponsorships and financial support.
Benefits for the Athletes
- Enable a transparent and trustful guide for athletes to find events where they might be financially supported and gain publicity.
- Offering and highlighting the WREs that offer excellent terrains which are likely to attract a particularly strong elite field, and possibly a preview of the type of terrain to be used at a forthcoming IOF major event. These WREs should in particular attract athletes who, while being at elite level, are not yet qualifying for their national teams at WOC or World Cups.
Applying for a WRE – the IOF Eventor process
The Federation is responsible for submitting any application for a race to be granted WRE status. It is emphasised that WRE status is always to be awarded to an individual race or KO sprint competition, not to a larger event as a whole. For example, for a multi-day event consideration should be given to which one or two of its days races would be WREs. The process is as follows:- The organiser sends information to the Federation, to allow the Federation to complete the application form. The template for the relevant application form for each discipline, in Word file format, should be used to gather the information. The Federation should check at an early stage to ensure that all information is or will be provided. Links to the four template documents are further below.
- The Federation formally applies in IOF Eventor. To do this a designated WRE responsible individual from the Federation should be identified. (Note that IOF Office will also treat this individual as a contact person for the Gold WRE label and programme.) The individual must log in to IOF Eventor as a Federation administrator, and fill in all of the fields in the electronic application form. A separate application must be completed for each race for which WRE status is being applied for. Further detailed information is available on the Eventor Guides webpage within the Administrative Resources menu item on the left hand side of this page.
- IOF Office processes and approves the application within IOF Eventor. Where necessary, the IOF Office will raise issues such as potential rules deviation requests with the IOF Commission for the relevant discipline.
- As soon as WRE status is approved, the race or competition will be listed in the IOF Eventor Event Calendar.
WRE Application form Templates
Application timelines and contacts
Foot O
The application period for events will normally open on 1 June of the year prior to the event date – e.g. 1 June 2025 for WREs planned for 2026. However earlier applications may be made, and if the Gold WRE label is to be sought this is strongly encouraged. (Pre-approval may be given, and this would be helpful to organisers wishing to market the event well in advance as being a Gold WRE.) Events due to take place in the period from 1 January to 31 March must have their application for WRE status filed in IOF Eventor at least six months before the date of the event. Events due to take place during the rest of the year - the period from 1 April to 31 December – must have their application for WRE status filed in IOF Eventor no later than 30 September of the year prior to the event date. Late applications may also be accepted in abnormal circumstances. A late fee of EUR 50 will be charged for applications received more than two months after the standard deadline, but only if the application is successful. The most important factor for approving a late application is whether the individual nominated as the IOF Event Adviser had already become involved in advising and following up on event quality more than six months before the event date. The IOF Foot O Commission contact is [email protected]MTBO, Ski-O, TrailO
The application period for events will normally open on 1 June of the year prior to the event date – e.g. 1 June 2025 for WREs planned for 2026. Events due to take place in the period from 1 January to 31 March must have their application for WRE status filed in IOF Eventor at least six months before the date of the event. (Please note that SkiO season start from 1 November.) Events due to take place during the rest of the year - the period from 1 April to 31 December – must have their application for WRE status filed in IOF Eventor no later than 30 September of the year prior to the event date. Please note that more than two MTBO/TrailO/Ski-O WREs on the same weekend is normally not accepted. Late applications may also be accepted in abnormal circumstances.Please contact the relevant Commission Chairperson before applying.Rules and Guidelines
The IOF World Ranking System defined in The World Ranking Scheme Rules which also contain some basic requirements. Many rules for WRE can also be found in the the Competition rules. For specific guidelines in each discipline, se links below:- Rules FootO WRE Guidelines FootO
- Rules MTBO WRE Guidelines MTBO
- Rules SkiO WRE Guidelines SkiO
- Rules TrailO WRE Guidelines TrailO
WRE Service Fees
The IOF Service Fees for WREs are the same for all four disciplines. The WRE Service fee are set depending on whether the Federation that applied for the WRE is an IOF Member in Groups 1-6, or in Groups 7-10. Fees are set primarily on a per entrant basis. Only entrants to the classes for which WR points were expected to be awarded are counted. Entrants who did not start are counted. The table below applies for events in 2026 (application period from 1 June to 31 December 2025). For FootO, there is no increased Service Fee for Gold WREs. All amounts are in EUR.| Groups 1 to 6 | Groups 7 to 10 | |
| Per entrant | 4 | 1,50 |
| Minimum fee | 160 | 60 |
| Maximum fee | 1000 | 375 |