The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and its technology partner MyWhoosh have revealed new details about the 2025 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships, which will take place on November 15 at the Space 42 Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. This will be the fifth edition of the event and promises a revamped format, maintaining the competitive spirit and excitement that have characterized previous editions.

With an in-person final and live broadcasts on the UCI’s YouTube channel, the championship will feature 40 finalists (20 men and 20 women) selected through a global qualifying process. The event will include a semifinal with up to 300 cyclists competing virtually, and a format consisting of three stages designed to test different skills: sprint, explosive power, and tactical endurance. Both the semifinals and the final will follow this three-stage structure.

A challenging format and inclusive qualification

The road to Abu Dhabi will begin with a qualification process running through October. 70% of the spots for the semifinals will be determined by National Federations, while the remaining 30% will be awarded through public events organized by MyWhoosh, ensuring an accessible and inclusive competition. The semifinals will take place on October 3 and will determine the top 20 athletes in each category through a points-based system across three intense stages.

These stages, designed to offer a dynamic and demanding experience, are: Sprinter’s Paradise, an explosive circuit with lap scoring; Punchers’ Playground, ideal for riders with short-burst power; and Last Rider Standing!, a knockout uphill race rewarding endurance and strategy. The final on November 15 will follow the same format. The rider with the highest overall score at the end of the three stages will be crowned world champion. With a cutting-edge virtual environment and an ambitious production, the UCI and MyWhoosh aim to establish this event as a global benchmark in cycling esports.