Poland’s ski‑jumping team enters the 2026 Ski Flying World Championships in Oberstdorf with a clear goal: claim gold and revive the nation’s historic legacy. The event runs from 23‑25 January on the 225‑meter Heini‑Klöpfer hill, while the looming FIFA World Cup 2026 play‑offs add extra excitement to a summer packed with world‑class championships.
Poland’s Historic Ski Jumping Legacy
Zakopane has hosted the classic World Championships three times—1929, 1939, and 1962—building a foundation that still inspires today’s athletes. Polish jumpers have amassed 21 World Championship medals, a record that underscores technical expertise and passionate fan support.
Oberstdorf Hosts Seventh Ski Flying World Championships
The Heini‑Klöpfer‑Ski‑Flugschanze, with a hill size of 225 m, returns for its seventh turn as host. The venue promises record‑breaking distances and a dramatic backdrop for the sport’s elite. Live coverage will be spread across TVN, Eurosport 1, HBO Max, and Player, ensuring fans across Europe can follow every flight.
2025/26 World Cup Calendar: Marathon of Events
The FIS Ski Jumping World Cup 2025/26 features 35 competitions, including 30 individual events and multiple team, duo, and mixed formats. The schedule intersperses World Cup meetings with the Oberstdorf championships and the 2026 Winter Olympics, testing athletes’ consistency and adaptability.
Impact on Athletes and Training
Jumpers must fine‑tune periodisation plans to peak for the early World Cup stages, the ski‑flying finals, and the Olympic Games—all within a twelve‑month window. This intensified rhythm can boost performance but also raises fatigue and injury risks, prompting coaches to adopt sophisticated training cycles.
Broadcast Opportunities and Fan Engagement
Multi‑platform coverage maximises reach. In Poland, TVN’s free‑to‑air broadcast drives domestic viewership, while HBO Max targets younger, streaming‑savvy audiences. Broad exposure attracts sponsors eager to leverage the sport’s expanding footprint across traditional and digital media.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Play‑offs: Parallel Countdown
The expanded 48‑team FIFA World Cup will conclude its qualification with high‑pressure play‑off matches in March 2026. These knockout ties mirror the “win‑or‑go‑home” intensity of ski‑flying’s final round, amplifying drama and global viewership.
What to Watch in 2026
- Oberstdorf ski‑flying finals: look for jumps over 240 m and potential new hill records.
- Polish team performance: early World Cup results will set the tone for a gold‑medal push.
- FIFA play‑offs: knockout excitement that decides the final spots for the 2026 World Cup.
- Broadcast innovations: integrated streaming and TV coverage delivering real‑time analytics and fan interaction.
