City officials announced Tuesday the operational plans for the 2026 UCI Road World Championships taking place in Montreal this September.
The international sporting event will happen Sept. 20-27 and will include 13 races.About 1,000 athletes will come together to represent 80 countries, along with more than 5,000 team and delegation members.
A public cycling ride will also be incorporated.
“In Montreal, sport is a powerful lever for bringing people together and fostering collective pride,” said Christine Black, vice-president of the city’s executive committee and responsible for family, seniors, youth, sport and recreation. “By hosting the 2026 UCI Road World Championships, Montreal reaffirms its status as a major sports city. This world-class event contributes to the city’s international profile while leaving a lasting legacy for residents, youth and the development of sport.”
Officials unveiled detailed plans to address disruptions, mobility, security and communications throughout the event.
“When Montreal plans rigorously, Montreal succeeds,” said Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada. “The UCI Road World Championships represent major economic spinoffs and an opportunity to proudly showcase our expertise on the international stage. Our administration is doing everything possible to minimize the impacts on the daily lives of Montrealers while maximizing economic benefits for the metropolis.”
To ensure optimal security, the city will collaborate with the SPVM, the Montreal Fire Department (SIM), Urgences-santé and several other partners to safeguard population movement, particularly to guarantee access to essential services and overall event security.
Mobility plans include the creation of a map to facilitate travel throughout the city. Closures can be expected, including the closure of a section of Avenue du Parc (start-finish zone) from Sept. 5 to Oct. 4 and temporary street closures two hours before races. Other disruptions include detours for certain bus routes, parking solutions for affected residents, and the installation of pedestrian walkways and safe crossings to maintain access to neighbourhoods.
“The City is fully mobilized to host this historic sporting event,” said Dimitrios Beis, responsible for security and prevention on the executive committee of the City of Montreal. “Strong measures in security, prevention and mobility have been put in place to ensure the smooth running of the Championships, in close collaboration with all partners involved, including the SPVM and the SIM.”
City teams have promised a comprehensive communication plan to continue informing the public in advance and on an ongoing basis.
Officials say about 500,000 spectators are expected on site, and the event could be viewed by more than 250 million viewers worldwide. The event could generate up to $76 million for Montreal’s GDP.
“Montreal is ready to welcome the world, and so are we,” said Sébastien Arsenault, president of the local organizing committee of the 2026 UCI Road World Championships Montreal. “The routes of the 2026 UCI Road World Championships will showcase all the richness, diversity and unique character of our metropolis, in line with the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal that we have organized since 2010.”
