Races over middle, long and short distances in both classic and free technique, plus a 4 × 5 km relay. WWM2028 is part of the Masters World Cup, now open to everyone aged 30+
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The Lahti races are the 2028 Masters World Cup of the World Masters Cross-Country Ski Association. Middle, short and long distance, each in classic and free, and a relay. Experience the legendary Lahti Ski stadium and Salpausselkä courses before the FIS Nordic World Championships 2029.
Three distances, two techniques and a relay. Your class sets your distance and your course. Course details will be published in winter 2027. The green course is easier than the blue course.
Your races. Up to three individual races and one relay per skier. Relay skiers are entered in individual races as well. Changes possible by decision of OC, WMA and WMS.
Training on Sunday, then six race days with rest days in between. Middle and short days have two races: classic in the morning, free after lunch.
Cross-Country Skiing in the 10 Games days
| Day | Programme | Also on |
|---|---|---|
| Fri 14 JanDAY 0 | — | Opening Ceremony Lahti Sports Center |
| Sat 15 JanDAY 1 | — | Winner’s Celebration · medals and social night Masters Hub |
| Sun 16 JanDAY 2 | Free training Lahti Sports Center · Training | Winner’s Celebration · medals and social night Masters Hub |
| Mon 17 JanDAY 3 | Middle C/F · Classic 09:00 + Free 13:00 Lahti Sports Center | Winner’s Celebration · medals and social night Masters Hub |
| Tue 18 JanDAY 4 | Free day | Winner’s Celebration · medals and social night Masters Hub |
| Wed 19 JanDAY 5 | Short C/F · CT 09:00 + FT 13:00 Lahti Sports Center | Winner’s Celebration · medals and social night Masters Hub |
| Thu 20 JanDAY 6 | Relay 4 × 5 km Lahti Sports Center | Winner’s Celebration · medals and social night Masters Hub |
| Fri 21 JanDAY 7 | Free day | Winner’s Celebration · medals and social night Masters Hub |
| Sat 22 JanDAY 8 | Long C · classic 9:00 Lahti Sports Center | Winner’s Celebration · medals and social night Masters Hub |
| Sun 23 JanDAY 9 | Long F · freestyle 9:00 Lahti Sports Center | Farewell Party Lahti Sports Center |
Sunday 16 January on the race courses, included in your entry. On the rest days, Tue 18 and Fri 21, the courses are open at communicated times.
Before every race day at Lahti Sports Center, for national directors and team captains. Next day's programme, start lists, courses and weather plan.
Mass starts in waves. Start order in the start lists, on masters2028.com before the Games.
Programme status 15 October 2026. Start times are estimate. Preliminary, subject to entries and the final start lists. Sport dates are confirmed before registration opens.
The races follow the World Masters Cross-Country Ski Association rules of competition and the FIS technical rules. What matters on the competitions:
WMA Rules of Competition. Everything not covered there follows the FIS International Ski Competition Rules.
In classic races skating is not allowed, and marked zones must be skied in diagonal stride. Violations lead to disqualification.
Mass starts in waves by class.
Up to three individual races and one relay per skier.
M01–M13 = men aged 30–89+; F01–F13 = women aged 30–89+. Each class covers five years: 01 = 30–34, 02 = 35–39, and so on. Example: M01 = men aged 30–34; F09 = women aged 70–74.
Fluor waxes are banned under the FIS rules. Skis may be tested after the finish.
The Lahti Ski Club runs the races under the WMA rules, with an appointed technical delegate.
The WMS anti-doping rules and the WADA Code apply.
225 € game entry plus a 25 € cross-country supplement for the Masters World Cup entry. Add up to two more sports on the same registration.
The same package in every sport.
Extra services, photos and evening tickets are sold as add-ons in the shop. Full list of what every registration includes.
Cross-country runs at the Lahti Sports Center, the venue of all FIS Nordic World Ski Championships since 1926. The courses start in the stadium and climb into the Salpausselkä ridge. The Games Centre and the Masters Hub are on the same site.
Lahti Sports CenterLahtiEvery race starts and finishes in the stadium, in front of the grandstands. The courses are cut from the World Cup and World Championship trails, and are skied every winter by skiers of all ages, in school races and in the Finlandia Ski Marathon.
Everything you need before you enter, in one place. Files are updated here, and the version date is on the first page of every file.
The questions cross-country skiers ask us most. General Games questions are in the main FAQ.
Up to three individual races and one relay. For example middle classic, short free and long classic, plus the relay. Relay skiers are entered in individual races as well.
The Masters World Cup entry: your WMA start number with a souvenir number, the start lists and the World Cup results.
No. Entry is open, with no federation or association membership needed. We ask for your ski club and your national masters association for the rankings. Current national team members cannot enter.
Classes M01–09 and F01–08 ski the blue course on 7.5 km laps (relay 5 km). Classes M10–13 and F09–13 ski the green course, with one climb and flatter loops: 5, 10 or 15 km.
Yes. Teams from one nation race for the medals. Mixed-nation teams are welcome and are ranked as mixed teams. Relay teams are entered at the race office by Tuesday 18 January.
Yes. Biathlon races on 15, 16 and 18 January, cross-country from 17 January. The two programmes are built to combine.
Yes. Waxing possibilities are available at the Sports Center. The details come in the venue guide before the Games.
Free training on the trails on Sunday 16 January, the day before the first race.
All sports Add a second sport Fourteen winter sports in ten days. Up to three sports on one entry. See all sports→
Host cities Lahti, Heinola, Levi Where to stay, how to get around and what happens every evening. Host cities→
Registration Get in first Pre-registration has closed. Registration opens for everyone on 9 November 2026. Registration starts 9 Nov→