UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup coming to Glasgow
International Cyclo-cross will return to Great Britain with a round of the 2026-27 UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup, to be hosted at Kelvingrove Park in Glasgow on Sunday 13 December 2026.
The UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup – run by the UCI and Flanders Classics – is the premier series of the UCI Cyclo-cross International Calendar, bringing the world’s best riders to a spectacular festival of cycling each winter, attracting thousands of spectators to experience the thrill of fast and furious racing on the mud and across challenging obstacles.
In 2023, British Cycling outlined a bold strategic major events vision which included bringing a round to Great Britain, and after months of determined work with key event partners to bring that ambition to life, the iconic series will return to these shores for only the second time in the event’s history.
The event, delivered by British Cycling Ventures (BCV) in partnership with Glasgow Life (the charity which delivers culture, events and active living in Glasgow) and EventScotland (part of VisitScotland), represents a significant milestone for BCV, aligning with its strategy to expand and elevate its major events portfolio. As well as delivering a world-class sporting spectacle, the event in Glasgow – the UK’s first UCI Bike City – will generate meaningful social and economic impact for local communities while inspiring future generations of riders.
Cyclo-cross has attracted multi-discipline international stars including mountain bike Olympic Champion Tom Pidcock (GBR), Mathieu van der Poel (NED) and Lucinda Brand (NED). Zoe Backstedt and Scotland’s Cameron Mason have been among the leading Britons in recent years, winning UCI world medals.
Managing Director of British Cycling Ventures, Darren Henry, said: “We are incredibly excited to bring the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup to Glasgow later this year. This is a significant moment in the delivery of our major events vision. It joins a wide-ranging portfolio of major events hosted and delivered by British Cycling, including the largest free to spectate sporting events in the country – the Lloyds Tour of Britain. Bringing world-class international racing to Great Britain inspires future generations and delivers real impact for local communities. Whether a family, a lifelong cycling fan or new to the sport entirely, this is an event not to be missed.”
Director of Events at British Cycling, Jonathan Day, said: “This is an incredibly exciting moment for cycling in Great Britain as a UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup round returns for the first time in over a decade. Cyclo-cross has such a rich history in the country, with incredible riders who excel on the international stage, and a strong, vibrant and passionate community racing in League and Lloyds National Series and Championship events up and down the country each winter. To bring a prestigious UCI World Cup round to our portfolio of events is brilliant for fans of this amazing sport and for major sporting events in the country.”
Bailie Annette Christie, Chair of Glasgow Life and Glasgow City Council Convener for Culture, Sport and International Relations, said: “As an internationally recognised host city that delivered the first-ever UCI Cycling World Championships in 2023, Glasgow is the ideal place to stage a round of the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup on its return to Great Britain. Bringing this event to Glasgow on the back of the hugely successful inaugural 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships and last year’s Lloyds Tour of Britain Women finale builds on that legacy and further strengthens our city’s global reputation as a vibrant cycling city. The international riders that will go head-to-head through Kelvingrove Park in December will be competing in one of the most exciting cycling events in the world. It is testament to Glasgow’s reputation and ability to host major events that UCI and Flanders Classics have confirmed this spectacular occasion is on the way, building further on the relationship between the city and cycling’s greatest occasions.”
Rob Dickson, Director of Industry and Events at VisitScotland, said: “Scotland is a destination made for cycling so it’s fantastic that the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup is coming to Glasgow and follows a long line of prestigious cycling events hosted across the country.
“The decision to choose Glasgow reflects the ongoing work of the industry in establishing Scotland as a global leader in major international events and aligns with Scotland’s National Events Strategy, which aims to strengthen our events portfolio while growing the visitor economy, and its social and cultural impact.”
Tomas Van Den Spiegel, CEO of Flanders Classics, said: "We have been working on bringing a UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup event to Great Britain for several years and are delighted to be able to announce Glasgow for next winter. Introducing a new venue is always special, especially in a major city like Glasgow, and we are looking forward to a great collaboration with British Cycling."
Don’t miss out on this festival of sport – the member and supporter pre-sale ticket window is now open, so check the Rewards Hub for the code or sign up now.
General sale opens at 10am on Monday 9 March 2026. Fans can stay up to date with latest news and announcements from the event on Instagram, Facebook and the British Cycling website.