Governor Kathy Hochul has unveiled the Olympic Regional Development Authority’s (Olympic Authority) fall and winter 2025–2026 schedule, featuring a record number of World Cup and Championship events at venues in Lake Placid. The announcement follows confirmation that Lake Placid will host the 2029 FIL World Championships.
The upcoming season will include eight high-profile international and national competitions, supported by New York State’s long-term investment in Olympic Authority venues. These events will help athletes prepare for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina and strengthen the region’s role in global winter sport.
Key events on the 2025–2026 schedule:
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WHOOP UCI Mountain Biking World Series (Oct 3–5, 2025): Men’s and women’s downhill races debut at Whiteface Mountain alongside cross-country events at Mt Van Hoevenberg.
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ISU Skate America (Nov 14–16, 2025): The international figure skating event returns to the Herb Brooks Arena for the first time since 2017.
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FIS Ski Jumping World Cup (Dec 12–14, 2025): Lake Placid continues to host this event for a fourth consecutive season, now including men’s, women’s, and mixed team events.
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FIL Luge World Cup (Dec 19–21, 2025): Top athletes return to Mt Van Hoevenberg in a key stop leading into the Olympic year.
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IBU Cup Biathlon (Feb 23–Mar 8, 2026): World-class biathletes will compete at Mt Van Hoevenberg for the first time since 2004.
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ECAC Women’s Hockey Championships (Mar 6–7, 2026): The women’s tournament debuts in Lake Placid.
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FIS Cross-Country World Cup Finals (Mar 19–22, 2026): The event returns to Mt Van Hoevenberg for the first time since 1979.
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ECAC Men’s Hockey Championships (Mar 20–21, 2026): Returning for the 22nd time at the Herb Brooks Arena.
Other scheduled events include the USA Hockey Women’s National Festival, World Figure & Fancy Skating Championships, U.S. Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined Nationals, Empire State Winter Games, and more. Freestyle and alpine ski competitions will also be hosted at Whiteface, Gore, and Belleayre Mountains.
In total, more than 25 conferences are booked at the Lake Placid Conference Center, with regular hockey tournaments and training events further boosting local activity. Last season alone, Can/Am Hockey tournaments brought in about 25,000 multi-day visitors.
The Olympic Authority continues to serve as a hub for training, attracting over 2,500 elite athletes annually and supporting thousands more through competitions, camps, and events. With more than $750 million invested into facility upgrades over the past decade, these efforts are now producing an estimated $350 million in annual economic impact for the region.
The transformation of the Olympic Authority into a four-season destination reflects New York State’s strategic commitment to outdoor recreation and tourism. Annual visitation has surpassed 1.18 million, delivering consistent benefits for businesses across the North Country.
Ashley Walden, President and CEO of the Olympic Authority, said this season’s record calendar highlights Lake Placid’s global appeal for training and competition. Hope Knight, President and CEO of Empire State Development, credited the state’s investments for sustaining economic growth through year-round sports tourism.
