Where are the Golden Tickets 2026? This is how you can qualify for the MTB World Cup

The UCI strengthens the role of the Continental circuit with one of the most relevant innovations of the competitive system that debuted in 2025: the Golden Tickets. A direct access to the elite of MTB.

Golden Tickets 2026: a direct gateway to the MTB World Cup

This initiative, launched in 2025, consolidates a model that truly connects the regional calendar with the World Cup, reducing the distance between promising athletes and World Series structures.

The calendar of the UCI Mountain Bike Continental Series features a total of 39 events in 2026, spread across 27 countries, structured across five continents, and includes both XCO and DHI events.

Their function goes beyond just accumulating points; they act as an intermediate competitive step, where riders without World Series structures can compete at a high level and gain direct access to the highest competition.

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The goal is to promote the progression of emerging talent and provide a tangible path to international professionalism.

How Golden Tickets work

1. In each event of the Continental Series, the top three finishers in each eligible category receive a Golden Ticket.
2. Riders already registered with World Series teams are excluded.
3. The prize is awarded on the podium, as a direct recognition of performance.
4. Each Golden Ticket allows competition in one event of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series.
5. It has a validity of 52 weeks from the date of issuance.

The included categories are in XCO: Elite (Men and Women), Under-23 (Men and Women). And in DH: Elite (Men and Women) and Junior (Men and Women).

MTB XCO Continental Series Calendar 2026

This is the updated calendar of XCO events within the Continental Series, key to understanding where those Golden Tickets will be contested:

Europe

• Melgaço (POR): 28.02-01.03 - XCO
• Obergessertshausen (GER): 28.03-29.03 - XCO
• Bike Park Drozdovo (SVK): 18.04 - XCO
• Göteborg, Skatås (SWE): 09.05-10.05 - XCO
• Cheile Grădiștei (ROU): 30.05 - XCO
• Puy-Saint-Vincent (FRA): 24.07-26.07 - XCO

America

• Valdivia (CHI): 30.01-01.02 - XCO
• Salinas (PUR): 25.02 - XCO
• Paraíba do Sul (BRA): 14.03-15.03 - XCO
• Fall River, Wisconsin (USA): 08.05-09.05 - XCO
• San José (CRC): 16.05-17.05 - XCO
• Canmore, Alberta (CAN): 13.06 - XCO

Oceania

• Christchurch (NZL): 24.01 - XCO
• Christchurch (NZL): 25.01 - XCO
• Mt Stromlo, Canberra (AUS): 28.02 - XCO
• Mt Stromlo, Canberra (AUS): 01.03 - XCO
• Cairns, Smithfield MTB Park (AUS): 18.04-19.04 - XCO

Asia

• Kanchanaburi (THA): 14.01 - XCO
• Yawatahama, Ehime (JPN): 23.05-24.05 - XCO
• Alegria, Surigao del Norte (PHI): 06.06 - XCO
• Zunyi, Guizhou (CHN): 24.07-26.07 - XCO

Africa

• Windhoek (NAM): 11.04 - XCO
• Gauteng (RSA): 25.04-26.04 - XCO

With this system, each event on the Continental calendar gains strategic weight. It is no longer just about accumulating points but about winning a direct opportunity to race in a World Cup.