The World Orienteering Championships will take place in Switzerland in 2023 and Finland two years later ©Getty Images

The World Orienteering Championships will take place in Switzerland in 2023 and Finland two years later, it has been announced.

The International Orienteering Federation (IOF) confirmed the historic decision following a Council meeting during the World Championships in Sarpsborg, Norway.

It is the first time the IOF has awarded two World Championships at the same time.

In 2023, the Championships will be held at the Flims Laax Falera resort in the Graubünden region of Switzerland, while the 2025 competition will be staged. in the city of Kuopio.

The two events are set to take place in mid-July.

Both events will host the forest orienteering format following the IOF decision to host forest events in odd-numbered years and urban orienteering in even years.

Both events will host the forest orienteering format, following the IOF decision from this year to host forest events in odd-numbered years ©Getty Images
Both events will host the forest orienteering format, following the IOF decision from this year to host forest events in odd-numbered years ©Getty Images

"The IOF had received two excellent bids for the World Orienteering Championships in the current bidding period for 2023, from Switzerland and Finland, and we are very pleased to be able to award both of the bidders the Championships in 2023 and 2025 respectively," IOF President Leho Haldna said

"The strength of these bids shows that the new structure of the World Orienteering Championships, with forest formats in odd years and sprint formats in even years, is attractive to venues and organisers.

"We look forward to working together with the respective organisers in creating exciting and visible events."