The 2026 UCI Track World Championships take place from Wednesday 14 to Sunday 18 October at the Shanghai Velodrome on China’s Chongming Island. Across five days, the world’s leading sprinters, pursuit specialists and endurance riders will compete for 22 rainbow jerseys, with 11 men’s and 11 women’s titles available.
For British supporters, the championships offer another chance to see Emma Finucane and the country’s established endurance programme compete against the strongest international opposition. There is also a late change to the British sprint line-up: Matt Richardson has been withdrawn from the squad amid a British Cycling misconduct investigation. He should not be included in previews as a confirmed starter.
When and where are the 2026 Track World Championships?
The championships run from 14–18 October 2026 at the Shanghai Velodrome, Chongming, China. The venue is part of the UCI World Cycling Centre’s development network. Chongming Island is also familiar to road cycling followers through the women’s Tour of Chongming Island.
Shanghai is seven hours ahead of the UK during the championships. That means a session starting at 11:00 local time begins at 04:00 BST, while an 18:30 local start corresponds to 11:30 BST. UK viewers should check the final daily programme, as qualifying and medal sessions take place at different times.
2026 Track Worlds schedule and events
There are 22 championships, split equally between men and women. The six Olympic disciplines are the individual sprint, keirin, team sprint, team pursuit, omnium and Madison. The programme also includes the individual pursuit, elimination race, points race, scratch race and kilometre time trial.
Wednesday 14 October begins with qualifying in the men’s and women’s team pursuits and team sprints, followed by the opening ceremony and evening racing. Competition then continues through Sunday 18 October, when the final rainbow jerseys will be awarded. Exact start times and medal-session allocations should be checked against the latest organisers’ programme because revisions remain possible.
Great Britain riders to watch
Emma Finucane is among Britain’s leading medal prospects in the sprint disciplines. Her acceleration and ability to perform across multiple rounds make her a contender against a formidable Dutch and international field. The British endurance squad also has the strength to challenge in team and individual events, with riders moving between pursuit, Madison and bunch-race programmes.
British Cycling originally announced a 20-rider selection, including a number of younger athletes gaining experience at world level. Read our Great Britain Track Worlds squad announcement for the original selection. The squad has subsequently changed, notably with Matt Richardson’s withdrawal, so the initial announcement should not be treated as a final start list.
Photo Credit: Olly Hassell/SWpix.comInternational contenders
Harrie Lavreysen remains a central figure in the men’s sprint events, while Dutch teammate Hetty van de Wouw enters the women’s sprint programme after winning three world titles in 2025. Japan’s Mina Sato is another major name in the women’s keirin, having established herself as a multiple world champion in the discipline.
New Zealand’s Ellesse Andrews, the Dutch team sprint squad and China’s increasingly competitive sprinters add depth to the women’s field. In the endurance events, the team pursuits and Madison races will test not just individual strength but changes of pace, coordination and tactical decisions under pressure.
How to watch the Track World Championships in the UK
UK broadcast arrangements and individual session availability should be checked against the broadcaster’s live schedule close to each session. TNT Sports and discovery+/HBO Max carry substantial international cycling coverage, but availability for this specific championship and each session should not be assumed without a confirmed listing. The UCI’s official race hub provides the programme, entries and results as the event progresses.
How the main track cycling events work
Sprint and keirin
The individual sprint is a head-to-head tactical contest in which riders may slow almost to a standstill before a decisive acceleration. The keirin begins behind a pacing motorcycle, which leaves the track before the riders sprint for the line. Team sprint combines short, high-intensity efforts, with riders peeling off after their turns at the front.
Team pursuit and individual pursuit
Pursuit events are raced against the clock, with team pursuit squads trying to hold a smooth, fast formation. The timing and pacing of each rider’s effort can be just as important as raw speed.
Omnium, Madison and bunch races
The omnium rewards consistency across four events. The Madison is contested by pairs who take turns racing, using hand slings to transfer momentum. Scratch, points and elimination races each demand a different balance of positioning, endurance and timing, with laps gained or intermediate sprints capable of changing the result.
Why the 2026 championships matter
The championships mark an important stage in the build-up to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Olympic disciplines attract particular attention as national programmes assess their depth, equipment, team combinations and the riders most likely to develop over the next two seasons.
There is also the immediate prize of a rainbow jersey. Unlike a national title, a world championship jersey can be worn in the relevant discipline throughout the following season, making each final an important target in its own right.
Track World Championships 2026 results
Results will become available during the championships from 14 October. This guide will serve as a starting point for the five days of competition, with the official classifications and daily results providing the definitive finishing orders once each event is complete.
