The 11th edition of the Al Salam Cycling Championship has been officially announced under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Marking the start of the 2026–2027 season, this championship has solidified its status as the world’s largest event for amateur cyclists and a cornerstone of the sporting calendar in Dubai and the broader UAE. The championship traces a remarkable path that has established it as the world’s largest event of its kind for amateur cyclists and one of the most prominent community sporti, signalling the start of its 2026–2027 season. Attracting participants from countries around the world.”, its reach continues to expand year after year.
Running from December 27, 2026, through March 14, 2027, the series will feature five distinct races. These events cater to a wide range of competitors, including amateurs, professionals, club riders, and national teams, with total prize money reaching Dhs3.695 million. Organizers expect approximately 1,900 male and female cyclists to participate across the season.
Omair Bin Juma Al Falasi, Director General of the Private Office of the Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Supreme Organising Committee, noted that the scale of the championship reflects the ongoing vision of Sheikh Mohammed to promote athletics and community well-being. According to Al Falasi, the competition has evolved into a vital platform that inspires fitness, helps Emiratis refine their athletic performance, and attracts international talent. The upcoming edition is expected to draw extensive international participation in keeping with the championship’s exemplary level of organisation and consistently high standards of competition. It has emerged as a notable platform to promote a community sporting culture, inspiring people to stay fit and fulfil their potential, and providing Emiratis the competitive edge to enhance their sporting performances, going beyond the boundaries of sporting competition.
The competitive schedule kicks off on December 27 with the Emirati Men’s Amateur Race. With over 250 participants expected, the event carries a prize purse of Dhs1 million. This will be followed by the highly anticipated Elite Race on January 17, 2027, which is set to feature professionals, national teams, and club riders from across the GCC and beyond. Like the season opener, this race offers a Dhs1 million prize pool and is expected to attract more than 350 entrants.
The championship’s commitment to diversity is underscored by the Women’s Race, scheduled for January 24, 2027. Designed for both amateur and professional female cyclists, the race will offer Dhs460,000 in prize money, highlighting the growing role of women in the sport.
On January 31, 2027, the Open Desert Race will expand the scope of the competition to include four specific categories: men’s amateurs, men’s professionals, women’s amateurs, and women’s professionals. This international event is targeting a field of 500 competitors with total prize money of Dhs535,000.
The season will conclude on March 14, 2027, with the final showdown at the Arqoub Al Sadeera Race. This closing event aims to bring together a global field of both amateur and professional cyclists to cap off a significant season of competition.
Beyond the races themselves, the 11th edition seeks to utilize Dubai’s sophisticated sporting infrastructure to boost community engagement. By fostering a culture of active living, the organizers aim to reinforce the emirate’s standing as a premier global hub for major sporting events and high-caliber athletic performance. These efforts further strengthen the emirate’s position as a global destination for major sporting events and exceptional athletes.
