The official countdown to the 2026 UEC Road European Championships began with the launch event held at Ljubljana Castle. Slovenia will host Europe’s premier road cycling event from 2 to 7 October 2026.
The Cycling Federation of Slovenia, together with its partners, officially unveiled the project behind the largest cycling event ever to be staged in independent Slovenia. On the occasion, Andraž Vehovar, President of the Cycling Federation of Slovenia, highlighted that hosting the Championships is a significant recognition of the development of Slovenian cycling and of the generation of riders who have established Slovenia as one of the world’s leading cycling nations.
The presentation focused on the race routes, which will connect Ljubljana with eleven host municipalities across central Slovenia and the Gorenjska region. Particular attention was given to the finishing circuit featuring the climb to Možjanca, where the European titles in the Elite road races will be decided.
Held under the Honorary Patronage of the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Nataša Pirc Musar, the 2026 UEC Road European Championships will bring together more than 800 riders from over 50 countries across six days of competition. Around 500 team officials and support staff will also travel to Slovenia. Organisers expect approximately 300,000 spectators along the route, while the Championships are projected to reach an audience of more than 16.5 million viewers through television broadcasts and digital platforms.
The launch event at Ljubljana Castle marks an important milestone in the preparations for the Championships. It also marks the beginning of the final phase of preparations, during which the organisers, together with the host municipalities, partners and hundreds of volunteers, will deliver an event that will place Slovenia at the heart of European road cycling for six days.