Free entry and bikes to test: Sea Otter Europe 2026 is about to open registration

The Shimano Sea Otter Europe Costa Brava-Girona by Garmin is practically all set to celebrate its tenth edition. From September 18 to 20, 2026, Girona will once again become one of the major international meeting points for cycling for three days, with more than 500 brands, UCI competitions, open trials for enthusiasts, Demobike, and activities for all audiences.

Sea Otter Europe 2026 prepares its largest edition with more than 500 brands and three days of cycling in Girona: reservations to test bikes are about to open

The organization faces this tenth edition after receiving 74,000 visitors in 2025 and announces a growth of 10% in exhibition space. More than 500 international brands will be present in a venue that will combine exhibition, competition, bike trials, and activities related to almost all cycling modalities.

One of the main attractions will again be the Demobike, the system that allows you to reserve bikes from different brands for free and test them on circuits specifically prepared for this purpose. Last year, more than 4,600 reservations were made.

Reservations will begin to open gradually. Shimano models will be available from September 2, with limited spots, while bikes from other brands can be reserved starting September 3. Reservations are managed through the official Demobike website.

Gravel, XCM, XCO, and XCE will headline the sports program

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The competition will again play a significant role throughout the weekend. Among the main events will be the 226ERS UCI Gravel World Series, qualifying for the Gravel World Championship, and the HERO UCI Cross-country Marathon World Cup, which will close the XCM world season in Girona, where David Valero can win his first overall title in the XCM World Cup.

The XCO will have its space with the Shimano Super Cup Massi, while the more explosive MTB modalities will be represented by the Spanish XCE Championship, the Continental Series XCE, and the XCC Continental Series.

The program will not be reserved solely for professionals. Enthusiasts will be able to participate in events such as the SCOTT Marathon BTT, the XCM Open World Cup, La Tramun Curta, the road march Ciclobrava by Lapierre, or the Continental Gravel Ride Tour.

There will also be competitions and activities aimed at the youngest and other disciplines, including the Shimano Super Cup Youth, Girona Trial Cup, Mini DH, and MTB Classic.

Additionally, the Canyon Social Gravel Time Trial will be introduced, a gravel time trial that will take place on Friday afternoon. Registrations will open on September 7.

Four large areas and activities beyond the races

The Fontajau venue will be organized into four interconnected areas, identified by the colors red, green, yellow, and pink.

In these areas, the stands of the brands, Demobike zones, stages, children's spaces, dining, and various services related to the competitions will be distributed. There will also be specific areas for professionals, such as Sea Otter Connect, Business Club, and Pro Business Area.

Sea Otter Connect will include conferences on cycle tourism, industry, and health, as well as various networking opportunities between companies and professionals in the sector.

The programming will go well beyond bicycles. There will be live music, DJ sessions, children's activities, workshops, magic, food trucks, and open conferences for the public. This year will also see the debut of rider presentations on the main stage: on Friday, it will be the turn of the participants in the UCI Gravel World Series, and on Saturday, those in the XCM World Cup.

Entry is free for Sea Otter Europe 2026, but it must be obtained

Access to the Sea Otter Europe 2026 venue will be free, although it will be necessary to obtain a ticket in advance. It can be downloaded from the official festival page.

The organization recommends using public transport or sustainable means to reach Fontajau. Girona has high-speed and regional train connections, urban transport to the vicinity of the venue, and specific parking for bicycles.

For those traveling by private vehicle, different parking areas will also be enabled. The organization maintains a specific page with updated information on access, transport, and parking.

With exhibitions, bike trials, some of the main international MTB and gravel competitions, and a wide parallel program, Girona will once again concentrate a good part of the European cycling industry and competition from September 18 to 20 to celebrate the ten years of Sea Otter Europe.