The UCI has finalised the allocation of WorldTour and Women’s WorldTour licences for 2026–2028, confirming the structures that will shape the next three seasons at the top of the sport. For the first time, both men’s and women’s licences have been issued on a unified three-year cycle, bringing long-planned alignment between the two elite divisions.
Amid the expected renewals and promotions, the announcement delivered several notable surprises. Picnic-PostNL’s men’s and women’s squads have been granted only a single season at WorldTour level for 2026, while Roland Le Dévoluy disappear entirely from the upper tiers after three years in the Women’s WorldTour. French ProTeams have also expanded sharply, positioning themselves for Tour de France Femmes wildcard opportunities in 2026.
Picnic-PostNL limited to one year as financial conditions imposed
The sole one-year licences in the entire announcement were reserved for Picnic-PostNL. The UCI’s Licence Commission stated that both teams must satisfy additional financial conditions before their licence can continue into 2027 and 2028. No detail was given regarding the nature of these conditions, nor why the Dutch organisation was singled out for this shorter approval period.
The decision places both squads under immediate pressure at the start of their WorldTour era, in contrast to rivals who can plan confidently across the full three-year cycle.
Roland missing from all lists as long-standing WWT team disappears
While the exits of Ceratizit and Arkéa-B&B Hotels were expected following both teams’ closures in 2025, Roland’s absence was far more surprising. The Swiss-registered women’s outfit, present at the highest level since 2022, appears on neither the WorldTour nor the ProTeam list for 2026.
NSN Cycling step up as new WorldTeam after Swiss registration change
One of the more interesting additions is NSN Cycling Team, admitted as a men’s WorldTeam for the full three-year term. Formerly Israel-Premier Tech, the project made the switch to Swiss registration and has been undergoing an extensive rebuild, emerging now with WorldTour status confirmed for 2026–2028.
The newly merged Lotto Intermarché are also officially registered, bringing the long-discussed fusion into the top tier.
Promoted Uno-X Mobility are confirmed among both the men’s and women’s WorldTour squads after meeting the sporting criteria during 2023–2025.
Cofidis and Pinarello-Q36.5 both drop out of the men’s WorldTour and join the ProTeam division for 2026.
Growth among French ProTeams linked to Tour de France Femmes eligibility
France now boasts one of the largest ProTeam contingents in the sport. Winspace re-emerge as Mayenne Monbana My Pie, while new team Ma Petite Entreprise enter the tier for the first time. Their ambitions are clear. Under ASO’s current selection approach, two spots at the Tour de France Femmes are likely to go to French ProTeams that perform strongly early in the season, creating a tangible incentive for national expansion at this level.
Laboral Kutxa, despite targeting the Women’s WorldTour for much of 2025, ultimately did not apply and will remain a ProTeam.
Full list of confirmed teams for 2026
Women’s WorldTeams
AG Insurance–Soudal Team
Canyon//SRAM ZondaCrypto
EF Education–Oatly
FDJ United–SUEZ
Fenix–Premier Tech
Human Powered Health
Lidl–Trek
Liv–AlUla–Jayco
Movistar Team
Team Picnic-PostNL (licence limited to 2026)
Team SD Worx–Protime
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
UAE Team ADQ
Uno-X Mobility
Men’s WorldTeams
Alpecin–Premier Tech
Bahrain Victorious
Decathlon CMA CGM Team
EF Education–EasyPost
Groupama–FDJ United
INEOS Grenadiers
Lidl–Trek
Lotto Intermarché
Movistar Team
NSN Cycling Team
Red Bull–Bora–Hansgrohe
Soudal Quick-Step
Team Jayco AlUla
Team Picnic-PostNL (licence limited to 2026)
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
UAE Team Emirates XRG
Uno-X Mobility
XDS Astana Team
Men’s ProTeams
Bardiani CSF
Burgos–Burpellet–BH
Caja Rural–Seguros RGA
Cofidis
Equipo Kern Pharma
Euskaltel–Euskadi
MBH Bank CSB Telecom Fort
Modern Adventure Pro Cycling
Pinarello–Q36.5
Team Flanders–Baloise
Team Novo Nordisk
Team Polti VisitMalta
Toscana Nippo Rali
TotalEnergies
Tudor Pro Cycling Team
Unibet Rose Rockets
Women’s ProTeams
Cofidis Women Team
Laboral Kutxa–Fundacion Euskadi
Lotto Intermarché Ladies
Ma Petite Entreprise
Mayenne Monbana My Pie
St Michel–Preference Home–Auber93
VolkerWessels Cycling Team
A top-tier reshaped heading into 2026
The UCI’s new three-year licensing era begins with a largely stable WorldTour, but with enough unexpected decisions to alter the competitive landscape. Picnic-PostNL must now prove that their financial platform is secure. Roland’s disappearance leaves a notable gap in the women’s top tier. French ProTeams are poised to fight for Tour de France Femmes entry. And NSN Cycling’s rise adds fresh intrigue to the reshaped men’s WorldTour.
If you want a short news brief or a more analytical sidebar about what these changes mean for team budgets, wildcard dynamics or competitive balance, I can prepare that too.
