Big news for the Montréal sports community! In September 2026, Montréal will be hosting the UCI World Road Cycling Championships. Organized by the promoter of the Grands Prix Cyclistes de Québec et de Montréal, with additional support from Cycling Canada, the race will take place from September 20 to 27 next year. And the date is significant: this cycling competition will be among several major events commemorating the 50th anniversary of the biggest sports event in the history of the city, the 1976 Summer Olympics.
It’s going to be a massive year for Montréal.
Making history all over again
This is the second time Montréal has hosted the UCI World Road Cycling Championships. We hosted the first ever edition of the championships that took place outside Europe — the now legendary Mount Royal circuit of 1974. And while no route has been announced yet for 2026 we suspect that the organizers might take advantage of the stunning Mount Royal Park once again!
Dating back to 1921, this annual world championship for bicycle road racing are located in a different city or region every year. The event can be held over either a relatively flat course (which favours cycling sprinters) or a hilly course (which favours climbing specialists). Whatever the case, the course is held on a circuit where competitors complete multiple laps.
Numbers that impress
The 2026 event will consist of six time-trials and five road races, featuring 1,000 athletes in the junior, U23, and elite events. More than 500,000 spectators are expected to generate upwards of $170 million in economic spinoff for Québec and more than $210 million for Canada. And the world will be watching: the event captivates the attention of 250 million television spectators around the globe.
Cheat sheet
Event: 2026 UCI World Road Cycling Championships
Dates: September 20 to 27, 2026
Venue: To be announced
Website: pcqm.ca
X: @GPCQM
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