The resort is currently working with Warner Bros to secure a 3-year continuity of the World Cup in Pal Arinsal 

La Massana, Tuesday, May 14, 2026.- Pal Arinsal presented this midday at the abba Suites Xalet Hotel in La Massana the 11th edition of the UCI MTB World Cup, which will take place from July 9 to 12, 2026 under the umbrella of the WHOOP UCI MTB World Series. In 56 days, the Andorran resort will once again become the global epicenter of high-level mountain biking competition.

The presentation event was attended by Eva Sansa, mayor of La Massana; Víctor de la Parte, representing the Andorran Cycling Federation; David Hidalgo, general director of the Pal Arinsal MTB World Cup; and Xavier Espot, Prime Minister of Andorra. Sansa opened the event by highlighting that Andorra and La Massana consolidate their identity as a cycling parish and country: “After so many years, we can say that MTB defines us. We are a cycling parish, with a resort prepared for elite athletes but also for enthusiasts,” and emphasized that “mountain biking is a growing global phenomenon, with great sporting, tourism, and media appeal.” 

Program and Disciplines: 3 Days of Intense Competition

Three traditional disciplines return to Pal Arinsal this edition: Short Track (XCC), Downhill (DHI), and Olympic Cross-country (XCO). Finals will be held over the weekend, with a schedule promising intensity from Friday to Sunday.

Friday, July 10, Short Track (XCC): The most explosive modality will kick off the weekend with a 1.1 km course featuring the top 30 ranked riders. The race, lasting up to about 25 minutes, will determine the starting order for Sunday’s Olympic cross-country.

Saturday, July 11, Downhill (DHI): Downhill will mark its third consecutive year on the Fontanals circuit, with a 1.8 km descent starting from the Cubil peak. A pure adrenaline test, maintaining a track that has proven to be a favorite among riders and spectators alike.

Sunday, July 12, Olympic Cross-country (XCO): The Olympic discipline will close the event with a 3.8 km course that matches the intensity and spectacle of previous editions. The race will gather the world elite and provide the grand finale to a week of high-voltage sport.

New Features in the 2026 Edition

For this edition, the organizers have redesigned the layout of the technical area and the feed zone. World Series teams will have their zone at the finish line, while the rest will move to the slope next to the school tape, replacing the “Planell” location. The podium will move outdoors to the public area, with a screen to follow the races live and enhance the festive atmosphere. In addition, two screens will be installed at Caubella: one in the middle of the circuit and another at the podium.

Television coverage also takes a step forward thanks to one of this year's standout technological innovations: the installation of cameras and a system able to analyze the mood of spectators in real time, assess how proposed traffic flows are working, and monitor the atmosphere both in the stands and at various points in the resort during the competitions.

With these and other new features, the organization is working to achieve excellence in all aspects of the competition. As Prime Minister Xavier Espot highlighted, this “is much more than a top-level sporting event. It is also the expression of a national project that is firmly committed to sport, quality tourism, nature, and the ability to organize major events with excellence and professionalism.”

A Record-Breaking 2025 

The 2026 edition aims to surpass that of 2025, which, as David Hidalgo recalled, confirmed the event’s global importance. 653 athletes from 42 countries took part in the Andorran event, which secured coverage in 358 media outlets across 48 countries, more than 120 accredited media, a cumulative television audience of 8 million viewers, and an economic impact valued at 7.6 million euros. These figures reaffirm Pal Arinsal as a top-level venue on the world circuit. For the 2026 edition, organizers expect to maintain similar results in both the number of riders and participant nations as well as economic impact and presence in international media.

Access and Mobility During the Event

Pal Arinsal maintains its firm commitment to sustainable mobility and accessibility. The La Massana gondola will remain the main entry point to the sports venue. A shuttle bus service will be provided with stops at the center of La Massana, Caubella, and Fontanals, with extra services on Saturday and Sunday. Walking between sports venues will be encouraged, with marked pedestrian paths available.

Additionally, two bike parking areas will be set up at the entrance to each of the two main venues for fans arriving by bicycle.

Tickets Now on Sale 

Tickets for the WHOOP UCI MTB World Series 2026 in Pal Arinsal are now available through palarinsalworldcup.com. Options from 1 to 4 days are available, with prices adapted to suit each spectator's preference. Entry includes access to the lifts, shuttle buses within the Pal sector, and reserved seating in the stands.

All Grandvalira Resorts Season Forfait holders, as well as people with disabilities, will have free entry with adapted accessibility conditions. Full details can be found on the official website.

Bike Park Open During the World Cup

Coinciding with the World Cup, the lower section of the Bike Park will remain open to the public from July 8 to 12 with specially reduced prices. It's a unique opportunity to combine the thrill of elite races with your own day on two wheels at the resort.

Bike Festival and Entertainment

Beyond the competition, Pal Arinsal, La Massana, and Andorra will host a grand cycling festival with the Bike Festival, featuring live music, percussion groups, games, and activities for families and friends at the Caubella and Fontanals venues. This edition, Warner Bros Discovery, together with the LOC, will be directly involved in the entertainment as one of their explicit goals for the 2026 edition. Pal Arinsal will also unveil a new collection of official merchandise following the “Legacy” concept, highlighting the resort’s journey as a global MTB reference point.

Sustainability and Responsibility

La Massana resort reaffirms its environmental and social commitment. The resort will continue to promote local (km ) products in gastronomy, reduce CO₂ emissions, eliminate single-use portions, and combat food waste. The initiative to round up ticket purchases for charity will be reactivated, and the partnership with Bicicletas Sin Fronteras will continue, a project that allocates funds to donate bicycles and bring education to young people in vulnerable contexts.

Along these lines, the new Warner Bros Discovery Legacy Awards will specifically recognize World Cup initiatives that have a measurable positive impact in sustainability and innovation.

Volunteers: The Heart of the Event

The event will continue to count on the participation of over 150 volunteers, who will assist in areas such as public service, logistics, and access control. Volunteer registrations remain open. As Hidalgo points out, “to be a volunteer is also to be supportive”: their involvement makes it possible for the Pal Arinsal World Cup to be a reference point not only in sport, but also on a human level.

Andorran Representatives

Víctor de la Parte, representing the Andorran Cycling Federation (FAC), introduced the cyclist who will compete in the home World Cup: Roger Turné. The final list of riders will be announced in the coming weeks, but the FAC has already revealed the names of the athletes who will represent the country at the July event. The organization will highlight their presence as a source of local pride and a reference for new generations of Andorran athletes.

Information for Spectators

All information about the program, tickets, mobility, and services will be available at palarinsalworldcup.com and in the spectator guide. The resort will provide QR codes at all spots within the venue and Wi-Fi connectivity for all attendees during competition week.