After several turbulent years for the racing format, the UCI and WBD have made a landmark decision for the mountain biking scene: The upcoming 2026 season will be the last for the Enduro World Cup in its current format. Reasons cited for this move include, among other things, the ongoing difficulties in the bicycle industry as well as the immense challenges involved in TV and media production for the sprawling races. In addition, numerous well-known veteran stars of the sport had already announced their retirement ahead of the 2026 season.

Focus on Flexibility and Community

In a joint statement, the UCI and WBD explained that they had come to the conclusion that each mountain bike format has its own unique needs. The future of enduro racing is best ensured by a structure specifically tailored to its unique identity.

World Championships Remain a Highlight

Even though the World Cup is being discontinued, enduro will continue to make occasional appearances on the big stage. The Enduro and E-Enduro World Championships are now set to take center stage. In 2026, the World Championships will take place from October 16 to 18 in Finale Ligure, Italy. The plan for 2027 is also already set: The Enduro title races will be held as part of the major UCI Cycling World Championships in the Haute-Savoie department of France.

A return to the roots?

The unexpected news sparked mixed reactions among riders and fans. While concerns about funding for professional athletes are growing, many riders also see this fresh start as an opportunity. This could be the future of enduro: a return to its roots, where adventure, the discovery of new trails, and the shared experience take center stage once again, rather than mere TV appeal. 

Official Announcement from WBD/UCI

August 19, 2026 – Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) Sports and the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) today announced that the 2026 UCI Enduro World Cup will be the final season of Enduro under the current UCI World Cup structure.

The decision reflects a shared belief that each mountain bike format has its own unique characteristics, community, and development pathway, and that long-term success requires an approach tailored to its specific needs and ambitions. WBD Sports and the UCI believe that Enduro’s future will be best served by a structure designed specifically around the format’s unique identity—one that offers greater flexibility in its operational framework, more room for innovation, and a stronger focus on participation and community engagement.

For over a decade, the Enduro World Series (EWS) and WBD Sports have played a key role in helping drive the growth, professionalization, and international reach of Enduro, at both the elite and amateur levels. Together with athletes, teams, organizers, partners, and fans, they have helped elevate the sport to new heights, broadening its reach and strengthening its position within the mountain biking landscape. Since Enduro’s integration into the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series, the sport has benefited from increased visibility and exposure as part of a broader mountain biking platform.

Among the most significant milestones of this period was the launch of the UCI Mountain Bike Enduro and E-Enduro World Championships in 2024, cementing Enduro’s place on the sport’s biggest stage. While the UCI Enduro World Cup concludes at the end of the 2026 season, the UCI Mountain Bike Enduro and E-Enduro World Championships will continue and take on even greater significance as the pinnacle events of the sport. The UCI World Championships will become the focal point of the global Enduro calendar, bringing together the sport’s best athletes and serving as the flagship celebration of the Enduro community.

The 2026 UCI Mountain Bike Enduro and E-Enduro World Championships will take place in the Finale Outdoor Region (Liguria, Italy) from October 16 to 18, bringing the world’s leading riders to what is widely regarded as the spiritual home of Enduro.

The format’s future on the world stage is also secured for 2027, with Enduro and E-Enduro confirmed as part of the UCI Cycling World Championships in Haute-Savoie, France. Among the venues selected for this landmark event are Morillon and the Grand Massif region, which just hosted last week’s 2026 UCI Enduro World Cup finale, attracting more than 500 professional and amateur riders. In 2027, the French destination will once again welcome the world’s best Enduro athletes as they compete for the sport’s most prestigious title and the iconic rainbow jersey.

While the path forward is still being defined, discussions are underway among the venues, organizers, and stakeholders who have helped shape the sport over the past decades. Drawing on their deep understanding of Enduro and its community, they are exploring new opportunities to ensure its continued growth and long-term sustainability, while staying true to the values that have made Enduro unique: participation, adventure, creativity, and a shared passion for the ride—where the journey is every bit as important as the result. This includes initiatives such as the integration of Enduro Open side events at selected WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series weekends.

By giving Enduro the freedom to continue evolving on its own terms, this transition represents the beginning of a new chapter for a discipline with a rich heritage, a passionate community, and many more stories still to tell.