August 29, 2025
HUNTSVILLE, AL – The Huntsville/Madison County community is proud to announce that the Rocket City has been selected to host the 2026 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships, thanks to a partnership with the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and U.S. Paralympics Cycling.
This world-class competition will take place September 4-7, 2026, bringing around 600 elite para-cyclists–along with coaches, staff, and families–from across the globe to Huntsville. The event, held annually by UCI, marks only the second time it will take place in the United States; the first was in Greenville, South Carolina, in 2014.
This championship is expected to be even larger than the 2023 UCI Para-cycling Road World Cup event hosted in Huntsville over Memorial Day weekend, which featured 350 top athletes from 40 countries. That World Cup was one of three rounds leading up to the 2023 World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, held August 3-13.
At the recent announcement, Mayor Tommy Battle was joined by Huntsville/Madison County Chamber President Chip Cherry, Madison County Commission Chairman Mac McCutcheon, and Julie Dussliere, Chief of Paralympics & Internally Managed Sports at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC).
“We are honored to welcome the world’s best para-cyclists back to Huntsville,” said UCI President David Lappartient. “After the success of the 2023 World Cup, we look forward to an even more exciting World Championships, especially with the 2028 Paralympics Games in Los Angeles on the horizon.”
The UCI, headquartered in Aigle, Switzerland, is the international governing body for cycling and organizes major competitions across 10 disciplines. Huntsville’s hosting of the 2023 World Cup marked the first time a UCI Para-cycling Road World Cup round was held in the U.S. Before that, the city hosted two national-level U.S. Open events.
Mayor Battle shared his excitement: “Our community loved hosting the athletes in 2023, and we’re ready to take it to the next level. We’re grateful for the chance to welcome them again.”
With just two years until the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, this event will be a critical milestone for Team USA and international competitors alike.
“Our athletes deeply appreciate the warm welcome they receive in Huntsville,” said Julie Dussliere of the USOPC. “The support they feel here in unmatched, and we’re excited to bring this global event back for a bigger, more dynamic competition.”
The races will take place in Cummings Research Park, the second-largest research park in the country and the fourth-largest worldwide. The competition will feature time trials and road races using various types of adaptive cycles, such as handcycles, tricycles, tandems, and standard bikes.
“This will be a phenomenal experience for fans and families alike,” said Chip Cherry, President & CEO of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber. “It’s inspiring to watch these world-class athletes in action, and we’re proud to serve as hosts ahead of the next Paralympic Games.”
Mark your calendars for Labor Day Weekend 2026–no tickets are required to attend, making it a perfect outing for families, companies, or community groups. Volunteer opportunities and sponsorships are available. For more details, contact Erin Koshut at ekoshut@hsvchamber.org.