Pressmeddelande —
The Vasaloppet Year 2026: Nearly 90,000 Participants and Several Historic Records
The Vasaloppet year 2026 was the strongest since before the pandemic. A total of 89,916 participants registered for Vasaloppet’s skiing, cycling and running races; the highest figure since 2019. The year also brought several historic milestones: the two-millionth finish in Vasaloppet history, record registration numbers for Ultravasan 90, Trailvasan 30 and Funkisvasan, and a record number of participants completing Vasaloppstrippeln.
Vasaloppet continues to be a strong driving force for exercise, public health and sports clubs. More than 63,000 participants registered for this year's Winter Week ski races, while the Summer Week cycling and running events attracted a further 26,000-plus participants.
“The Vasaloppet year 2026 shows people’s desire to challenge themselves and experience community through exercise. Reaching the highest participation level since before the pandemic, while also celebrating our two-millionth finish and seeing record participation for Ultravasan, Trailvasan, Funkisvasan and Vasaloppstrippeln, feels fantastic; it's a concrete example of how we are getting Sweden moving,” says Johan Eriksson, CEO of Vasaloppet.
One of this year’s historic events took place on Sunday, March 1, when Veronica Olofsson from Ånge crossed the finish line in the 102nd Vasaloppet, thereby becoming the two-millionth participant to cross the finish line in Mora since Vasaloppet began. This milestone includes all skiing, cycling and running events.
“Two million finishes tell the story of Vasaloppet as a popular movement that continues to grow. We're now looking forward to continuing to inspire Swedish movement and exercise, generation after generation, and to welcoming the next million participants across the finish line,” says Johan Eriksson.
Vasaloppstrippeln also continues to grow. A total of 634 participants completed Vasaloppstrippeln this year by finishing a ski race, a cycling race and a running race, all over the same distance, setting a new participation record for the third consecutive year. Additionally, the number of women taking on Vasaloppstrippeln 90 increased by more than 30 percent.
As always, Vasaloppet’s events provide important contributions to the sports community. Through its activities, 20–25 million SEK is generated each year for sports clubs and federations.
“Just as important as the developing participation is the fact that the surplus from our events continues to make a significant contribution to sports clubs. This creates opportunities for activities, leadership and participation throughout the year,” says Johan Eriksson.
More than 43,000 participants have already registered to take part in a Vasaloppet Arena race in 2027, and there is room for more. During the Winter Week, Dalarna will host the biggest ski celebration ever, with the World Ski Championships taking place in Falun at the same time as tens of thousands of skiers aim to cross the finish line in Mora.
“The combination of the World Ski Championships on home soil and continued strong interest in Vasaloppet’s events gives us a fantastic opportunity to inspire even more people to get moving in 2027. We look forward to welcoming both new and returning participants to another year filled with challenges, experiences and the joy of being active,” says Johan Eriksson.
FACTS: The Vasaloppet year 2026 in numbers
- 33,684,770 kilometres were covered collectively by 2026 Vasaloppet participants on skis, bicycles and on foot. That is equivalent to 44 trips to the Moon and back, or 840 laps around the Earth.
- 89,916 participants registered to take part in Vasaloppet’s skiing, cycling and running races – the highest figure since 2019.
- 2,000,000 finishes were reached when Veronica Olofsson from Ånge became the two-millionth participant in Vasaloppet history to cross the finish line. Following the summer events, the total number of finishes now stands at 2,023,942.
- 63,384 registered for Vasaloppet’s Winter Week, the highest figure since 2019.
- 26,532 registered for Vasaloppet's Summer Week.
- 38.4 percent of this year’s participants were women.
- 2,333 ultrarunners registered for Ultravasan 90, a new record!
- 634 participants completed Vasaloppstrippeln, a new record and an increase of 15 percent compared with 2025.
- 345 participants completed Vasaloppstrippeln 90, of whom 107 were women, an increase of more than 30 percent.
- 20-25 million SEK is generated each year for sports clubs through Vasaloppet’s activities.
- 15 couples got married in Mora Church’s “ski-in” wedding ceremony after crossing the finish line during the Winter Week, and one blessing ceremony was also held. A total of 117 couples have now been married after crossing the finish line!
- 3,000 functionaries made this year’s events possible. Thank you, all!
Upcoming events in the Vasaloppet Arena:
Vasaloppet’s Winter Week 2027 and the 103rd Vasaloppet – cross country skiing
Friday, February 26, Vasaloppet 30, start Oxberg, 30 km
Saturday, February 27, Tjejvasan, start Oxberg, 30 km
Sunday, February 28, Öppet Spår Sunday, start Sälen, 90 km
Sunday, February 28, Vasaloppet Pro Race 30, start Oxberg, 30 km
Sunday, February 28, Ungdomsvasan, start Eldris, 9 km, start Hökberg, 19 km
Monday, March 1, Öppet Spår Monday 90, freestyle, start Sälen, 90 km
Monday, March 1, Öppet Spår Monday 45, freestyle, start Oxberg, 45 km
Monday, March 1, Öppet Spår Monday 30, freestyle, start Oxberg, 30 km
Tuesday, March 2, Vasaloppet 45, start Oxberg, 45 km
Friday, March 5, Stafettvasan, ski relay, five sections, start Sälen, 90 km
Friday, March 5, Nattvasan 30, individually or two-person teams, freestyle, start Oxberg, 30 km
Friday, March 5, Nattvasan 45, individually or two-person teams, freestyle, start Oxberg, 45 km
Friday, March 5, Nattvasan 90, individually or two-person teams, freestyle, start Sälen, 90 km
Saturday, March 6, Vasaloppet 10, freestyle, start Eldris, 9 km
Sunday, March 7, The 103rd Vasaloppet, start Sälen, 90 km
Vasaloppet's Summer Week 2027 – biking and running
Friday, August 13, Cykelvasan 30, start Oxberg, 32 km
Friday, August 13. Cykelvasan Öppet Spår, start Sälen, 92 km
Friday, August 13, Cykelvasan 45, start Oxberg, 45 km
Saturday, August 14, Cykelvasan 90, start Sälen, 92 km
Friday, August 20, Funkisvasan, start Mora, 2 or 4 km
Friday, August 20, Trailvasan 10, start Mora, 10 km
Saturday, August 21, Ultravasan 90, start Sälen, 92 km
Saturday, August 21, Vasastafetten, running relay, ten legs, start Sälen, 92 km
Saturday, August 21, Ultravasan 45, start Oxberg, 45 km
Saturday, August 21, Trailvasan 30, start Oxberg, 30 km
Vasaloppstrippeln – ski, bike and run, all in one year
Vasaloppstrippeln is a challenge where you complete three races – skiing, cycling and running – during one and the same calendar year. Choose between 30, 45 or 90 kilometres.
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High-resolution photos from Vasaloppet
https://www.mynewsdesk.com/se/vasaloppet/latest_media
Text and photos may be freely published.
For more information
Camilla Sandy Swarén. Press Manager Vasaloppet
+46 (0)70-384 95 00
camilla.sandy@vasaloppet.se
More on Vasaloppet
www.vasaloppet.se
Press room: mynewsdesk.com/se/pressroom/vasaloppet
Facebook: facebook.com/vasaloppetofficial
Instagram: @vasaloppet
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Vasaloppet is the world's biggest cross-country ski race. Vasaloppet's Winter Week with its cross-country skiing and Summer Week with mountain biking and running attract a total of almost 100,000 registered participants every year. Since the beginning in 1922 over two million participants have passed the finish line portal in Mora. Vasaloppet is a non-profit making organization owned by IFK Mora and Sälens IF. An engine for public health and sports club activities, in forefathers' tracks for future victories!
