The Union Cycliste Internationale -UCI- has unveiled the 2026 calendar of the GravelKing UCI Gravel World Series, which will reach a record 47 qualifying events worldwide. This represents the highest number of races since the series was created and provides riders with 47 opportunities to qualify for the UCI Gravel World Championships 2026, to be held on 10–11 October in Nannup, Australia, marking the fifth edition of the discipline’s World Championships.
The expansion of the calendar reflects the evolution of a discipline that, following its competitive relaunch under the umbrella of the UCI in 2022, has experienced sustained growth. The series began with just over ten events in its inaugural season, expanded its reach in 2023, increased to 26 races in 2024 and 33 in 2025, and now consolidates a 47-event calendar across 32 countries and five continents, establishing a truly global circuit.
From emerging discipline to global circuit
The Gravel World Series concept remains unchanged in 2026: each race qualifies the fastest 25% of riders in every age group for the World Championships. Unlike many other formats, professional and amateur riders compete on the same courses, within a structure that includes categories from 19–34 up to 80–84 for both men and women. Inspired by the successful UCI Gran Fondo World Series, the model combines elite performance with mass participation.
The scale of the discipline is also reflected in participation figures. The 2024 World Championships, held in Flanders, attracted just over 2,600 riders, double the number of the previous edition, while the 2025 edition in South Limburg, Netherlands, brought together 2,953 cyclists from 53 countries. At the same time, numerous qualifying events regularly exceed 2,000 participants, underlining the format’s broad appeal and its capacity to integrate elite and amateur riders within the same competitive framework.
Outlook through 2030
The consolidation of gravel within the UCI structure is further supported by increasing organisational and commercial professionalisation. The UCI and Belgian agency Golazo have extended their partnership for the organisation of the Gravel World Series and the Gran Fondo World Series through to 2030, reinforcing calendar stability and global coordination. In addition, the designation of Panaracer Corporation as title sponsor through its GravelKing brand until 2028 strengthens the connection between the specialist industry and the competitive expansion of gravel.
The appointment of Santini Cycling as Official Apparel Partner from 2026 to 2028 introduces an additional layer of professionalisation. The Italian company will supply podium jerseys for elite and age-group winners at all international events, including a dedicated collector’s jersey for elite champions and the traditional blue “rainbow” jersey for age-group categories.
This is complemented by the agreement with Škoda Auto as Official Partner of the Mountain Bike and Gravel World Championships, events that generate a combined annual television audience exceeding 25 million viewers. With 47 qualifying races and a structure secured through the end of the decade, the Gravel World Series 2026 confirms the full integration of gravel into the international competitive system governed by the UCI.
A worldwide calendar
The 2026 season introduces 16 new events, strengthening the presence of the series in Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Mexico, and Canada, as well as adding new European venues such as the Dolomites, Czechia, Latvia, Denmark, Finland, and Estonia. The calendar also retains established events in Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, United States, Kenya, and Sweden, among others.
Australia, host nation of the 2026 World Championships, will feature three qualifying events before the decisive race in Nannup. Since 2018, the small town in Western Australia has hosted The Seven, one of the circuit’s emblematic races, which will take centre stage this season with the awarding of the rainbow jerseys. The 2026 calendar will begin in February in South Africa and Spain, before progressively unfolding across Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Oceania.
