The season started on 15 January 1981 in Jáchymov, Czechoslovakia, and ended on 5 April 1981 in Hedenäset, Sweden.

It was the fourth season of the Biathlon World Cup, and it was only held for men.

Below is the World Cup calendar for the 1980–81 season.

[1][2][3] *The relays were technically unofficial races as they did not count towards anything in the World Cup.

Following notable biathletes retired after the 1980–81 season: