From August 25 to 30, 2026, Val di Sole will host the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships for the fourth time in its history, following the editions of 2008, 2016 and 2021: a rainbow week set to deliver an intense mix of adrenaline, technical mastery and passion.
In Daolasa di Commezzadura, at the heart of Italy’s first UCI Bike Region, a long-standing bond is renewed – one that has made mountain biking far more than a sport, but a defining element of the territory’s identity and of Trentino as a whole. Organisers Grandi Eventi Val di Sole, together with the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), have officially confirmed the programme of what promises to be an emotionally charged week of racing.
5 FORMATS, 17 TITLES: FIRST MEDALS AWARDED ON AUGUST 26
Seventeen world titles will be contested in Val di Sole across five formats: Cross-country Olympic (XCO), Cross-country Short Track (XCC), Cross-country Team Relay (XCR), Downhill (DHI) and E-Mountain Bike Cross-country (E-MTB).
Over five days of competition, every corner, jump, climb and descent could prove decisive in the battle between dream and glory, with the world’s best riders ready to take on courses widely recognised among the most technical on the international calendar.
Following rider registration on Monday, August 24, the 2026 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships will officially open on Tuesday, August 25 with the opening ceremony scheduled for 6:00 pm CET, preceded by the first Cross-country and E-MTB training sessions.
Wednesday, August 26 marks the first medal day. After the traditional track walk on the iconic Black Snake – scheduled from 8:00 am CET – the spotlight shifts to the E-MTB competitions, with the women’s race at 10:00 am CET followed by the men’s race at 11:30 am CET. In the afternoon, attention turns to the Cross-country Team Relay at 5:00 pm CET, featuring six riders per nation.
HIGH-INTENSITY THURSDAY WITH THE SHORT TRACK
Thursday, August 27 opens with the Junior Cross-country Olympic races – women at 9:30 am CET and men at 11:00 am CET. In the afternoon, the focus moves to the Cross-country Short Track (XCC), the fast-paced format that brings Cross-country specialists onto a compact circuit. Introduced at UCI World Championship level in Val di Sole in 2021, the format awards a rainbow jersey and determines the starting grid for Sunday’s Cross-country Olympic races.
The Women’s U23 race begins at 3:30 pm CET, followed by the Men’s U23 at 4:30 pm CET, the Women Elite at 5:45 pm CET and the Men Elite at 6:30 pm CET. In the evening, the side events take centre stage with the Four-cross (4X) Pro Series qualification at 9:00 pm CET – the world’s premier four-cross challenge.
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY: THE BLACK SNAKE IN THE SPOTLIGHT
The legendary Black Snake – widely regarded as one of the most demanding Downhill tracks in the world – moves under the spotlight from Friday, August 28, with Junior qualifying from 10:30 am CET and Elite qualifying from 3:30 pm CET.
Later in the day, attention shifts to more side events, this time for the youngest riders with the Cross-country Kids event at 6:00 pm CET, followed by the Four-Cross competitions at 9:00 pm CET and the Val di Sole Bikeland Party at 10:00 pm CET.
All Downhill UCI world titles will be decided on Saturday, August 29. The programme opens at 9:15 am CET with the Women Junior, followed by the Men Junior at 10:00 am CET, the Women Elite at 1:20 pm CET and the Men Elite at 3:00 pm CET. After the awards ceremony, celebrations continue with the second Val di Sole Bikeland Party from 9:00 pm CET.
GRAND FINALE WITH THE CROSS-COUNTRY OLYMPIC ON SUNDAY
As tradition dictates, the grand finale on Sunday, August 30 is dedicated to Cross-country Olympic (XCO). The Women’s U23 race starts at 9:00 am CET, followed by the Men’s U23 at 11:00 am CET, the Women Elite at 1:00 pm CET and the Men Elite at 3:15 pm CET.
