As the Ski Classics Pro Tour enters Season XVII, Ski Classics Fantasy launches a series of significant updates designed to enhance fairness, strategy, and player engagement.
The new Ski Classics Fantasy season, starting with Bad Gastein Criterium, introduces gender-balancing requirements and refined bonus opportunities. Trading opens today. Here are the season updates.
Gender Equality Introduced in Team Composition
For the first time, Ski Classics Fantasy will enforce gender-balanced team structures. Each Fantasy Team may be built with the following rules:
- 3 spots reserved for women
- 3 spots reserved for men
This update ensures more diversity in team selection and deeper strategic planning for Fantasy players.
Larger Event Lineups: 12 Athletes per Race
Already introduced in Season XVI, Fantasy players may enter 12 athletes in every event:
- 10 regular roster athletes
- 2 additional Cub athletes
While more than two Cub athletes may be kept on a player’s selection, two spots are reserved for Cubs only – expanding tactical choices for both rising and established athletes. The Cub category includes athletes born in 2003 or later (aged 23 or below).
Also Read – Cub athletes for Season XVII: the next generation steps into the Pro Tour
Strategic Bonuses
Season XVII also introduces enhanced scoring opportunities through a refined system of 50% bonus points, giving Fantasy players new ways to maximize performance.
- The Youth Bonus awards an additional 50% Champion points to the best-performing Youth athlete on each Fantasy Team.
- The QCI (Quota Country Index) Bonus supports global diversity by granting 50% extra Champion points to the top-performing QCI athlete, currently non-Swedish and non-Norwegian athletes.
- Finally, players can further refine their strategy by selecting a Team Captain for each event, who will receive 50% more points.
Special Team-Selection Rule for Orsa Grönklitt Weekend
For the Orsa Grönklitt events:
- Fantasy Teams must be submitted before the first event on March 7, 2026
- Teams cannot be modified ahead of the following race on March 8, 2026
This ensures consistent competition across the special race weekend.
Prizes
The winning Fantasy Team of each event receives a 1-year free membership on the world’s leading XC skiing community platform – SC Ski Community (includes unlimited access to langrenn.com, langd.se, maastohiihto.com, bezky.net, proxcskiing.com, SC Play, and SC MyPages)
Awarded to the top three overall teams at the end of Season XVII:
- 1st place: Large merchandise package + 1-year membership
- 2nd place: Official hat + official cap + 1-year membership
- 3rd place: Official cap + 1-year membership
If two players tie, the winner is decided by a random draw.
About Ski Classics Fantasy
Ski Classics Fantasy is the official fantasy league of the Ski Classics Pro Tour, offering fans worldwide the chance to compete by selecting Pro Team athletes and scoring points throughout the season.
Build your own Fantasy Team and score the most points during the Ski Classics Season XVII.
SKI CLASSICS FANTASY – PLAY HERE
For more updates and detailed information, make sure to visit skiclassics.com and follow Ski Classics on social media.
Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVII (2025/2026)
• Event 1: December 13, 2025 – Bad Gastein Pro Team Tempo – Austria – 7km
• Event 2: December 14, 2025 – Bad Gastein Criterium – Austria – 36km
• Event 3: January 17, 2026 – Engadin La Diagonela – Switzerland – 55km
• Event 4: January 25, 2026 – Marcialonga – Italy – 70km
• Event 5: January 30, 2026 – Bedřichov Sprint – Czech Republic – 1.5km
• Event 6: February 1, 2026 – Jizerská50 – Czech Republic – 50km
• Event 7: March 1, 2026 – Vasaloppet – Sweden – 90km
• Event 8: March 7, 2026 – Orsa Grönklitt 50k ITT Women – Sweden – 50km
• Event 9: March 8, 2026 – Orsa Grönklitt 50k ITT Men – Sweden – 50km
• Event 10: March 14, 2026 – Birkebeinerrennet – Norway – 54km
• Event 11: March 21, 2026 – Marcialonga Bodø – Norway – 50km
• Event 12: March 28, 2026 – Reistadløpet – Norway – 35km
• Event 13: March 29, 2026 – Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja – Norway – 60km
Read More: Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVII 2025/2026
Top Photo: NordicFocus
