A UCI Downhill World Cup will be held in Whistler for the first time ever in 2026

The UCI Mountain Bike World Series is finally fulfilling “a long-term wish from fans, teams, and athletes,” according to Chris Ball, Vice President of Cycling Events at Warner Bros. Discovery Sports Europe. The 2026 Mountain Bike World Series calendar has been announced, and the most notable addition? The first-ever Downhill World Cup race in Whistler, British Columbia, September 25-27, 2026.

The Whistler Bike Park is unarguably the most famous downhill mountain bike destination on the planet. The classic A-Line trail singlehandedly invented a new style of mountain bike trail, which has subsequently spread around the world. The expansive bike park is a draw to mountain bikers worldwide, and in fact, it’s tough to say you’re a true “mountain biker” if you haven’t been to Whistler to ride.

A large crowd gathers on a grassy hillside at Whistler surrounded by trees, with many people seated and some standing. Numerous mountain bikes are scattered throughout the scene, and a vibrant Red Bull tent is visible in the background, indicating an outdoor biking event or festival. The atmosphere is lively, with a mix of colorful attire and diverse participants enjoying the event under a clear blue sky. — File photo: Jeff Barber

Whistler is no stranger to hosting top-tier professional downhill racing. The bike park is home to the world-renowned Crankworx event, now the largest mountain bike gathering in the world. The annual 10-day festival generally hosts the Canadian Open DH race, in addition to the Garbanzo DH and the Crankworx Whistler Air DH competitions. Whistler also hosted the Olympic Winter Games 15 years ago.

In 2022, Whistler completed construction of the 1199 downhill trail, which was designed as a died-in-the-wool downhill race track. In a 2023 article, Brendan Behan, Whistler Bike Park Trail Crew Supervisor, told Singletracks that the eventual goal would be to host a World Cup DH race on the new race track, although there was no planned timeline.

But now it’s finally here.

A colorful calendar for the 2026 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup series, displaying event dates and locations. The calendar includes races in various countries, featuring disciplines such as cross-country, downhill, and enduro. Notable locations include South Korea, Italy, Switzerland, the United States, and Canada, with specific events scheduled from May to October 2026.

Another notable North American addition, which has been teased since late last year, is a Downhill World Cup race at Whiteface Mountain in Lake Placid, NY, which was also announced today. That race will be held October 2-4, giving the world’s top mountain bike racers two back-to-back DH races in North America.

Notably absent from the 2026 schedule: Mont Saint Anne, which has hosted World Cup mountain bike races for 30 years straight.

Singletracks previously reported that the UCI Mountain Bike World Series is returning to the Western USA in 2026 for the first time since 2005, with an XCC and XCO stop at Soldier Hollow in Midway, UT September 19-20.