In a significant development for Asian sports, Saudi Arabia has been officially designated as the host nation for the prestigious 2026 Asian Road Cycling Championships. The landmark agreement was formally signed during a ceremony in Riyadh, positioning Qassim City as the central venue for this premier continental event.
Historic Agreement Signed in Riyadh
The Asian Cycling Confederation and Saudi Cycling Federation cemented their partnership through an official Host City Agreement that marks a new chapter for competitive cycling in the Kingdom. The signing ceremony witnessed the participation of key sporting dignitaries, including Dato' Amarjit Singh Gill, President of the Asian Cycling Confederation and UCI Vice President, and Abdul Aziz bin Ali Al-Shahrani, President of the Saudi Cycling Federation.
This agreement formally designates Qassim City as the official host for the 2026 Asian Road Cycling Championships, with the event scheduled to run from February 5 to 13, 2026. The championship will operate under the full support of the Saudi Arabian government, demonstrating the Kingdom's growing commitment to establishing itself as a premier destination for international sporting competitions.
Comprehensive Competition Format
The 2026 championships will feature an inclusive competition structure that brings together Asia's finest cycling talent across multiple categories. The event will include competitions for Elite Men and Women, Under-23 riders, Junior categories, and Para-Cycling divisions. This comprehensive approach ensures representation across all levels of competitive cycling while promoting diversity and inclusion within the sport.
Dato' Amarjit Singh Gill expressed strong confidence in Saudi Arabia's capabilities, stating: "The Asian Road Cycling Championships represents Asia's most prestigious road cycling competition, and we are thrilled to see Saudi Arabia, through Qassim City, taking on this hosting responsibility with complete dedication and strategic vision." He emphasized that this partnership reflects the rapid growth of cycling throughout the region and aligns perfectly with ACC's mission to expand the sport's reach across Asia.
Additional ACC Meetings and National Significance
Beyond the championship races, Saudi Arabia will also host official meetings of the Asian Cycling Confederation during the same period. The ACC Management Committee Meeting is scheduled for February 11, 2026, followed by the ACC Congress on February 12, 2026, with both high-level gatherings to be conducted in Riyadh.
Abdul Aziz bin Ali Al-Shahrani highlighted the national importance of this event, noting: "Hosting the 2026 Asian Road Cycling Championships in Qassim represents a moment of immense pride for Saudi Arabia. This initiative reflects our ambitious vision to transform the Kingdom into a leading hub for international cycling and inspire a new generation of Saudi cyclists through this prestigious continental competition."
The 2026 Asian Road Cycling Championships will serve as a crucial qualification platform for upcoming international competitions while promoting values of unity, sustainability, and healthy living across the continent. This partnership between the ACC and Saudi Cycling Federation represents another historic collaboration in Asia's journey to elevate competitive cycling to unprecedented levels of excellence and inclusivity.
