The 2026 Hong Kong Cyclothon returns on 11 October, with riders able to choose between 32km and 56km routes through the city. The return of the UCI Class 1.1 Road Race adds extra prestige to one of Asia’s most distinctive mass participation cycling events
The 2026 Sun Hung Kai Properties Hong Kong Cyclothon is set to return on Sunday 11 October, with registrations now open for riders keen to secure a place.
Organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, the annual event has built a strong reputation for giving everyday riders the rare chance to pedal through the middle of one of the world’s most recognisable urban landscapes. For 2026, participants can again choose between two non-competitive rides, a 56km option and a 32km option, both taking in Hong Kong’s major roads, bridges, tunnels and harbourfront scenery.
More than 6,000 cyclists from around the world are expected to take part, rolling out from the West Kowloon Cultural District and riding on traffic-free roads through the heart of the city. It is a format that makes the Hong Kong Cyclothon stand apart from more conventional fondo-style events. This is not just a ride near a city, but a ride through it.
The 56km route is being promoted as an all-new course for this edition, while both rides promise the signature blend that has come to define the event: a high-energy metropolitan backdrop, sweeping harbour views and the novelty of riding normally busy thoroughfares closed to traffic.
For those who like their cycling with a serious sporting edge, the 2026 event also marks the return of the UCI Class 1.1 Road Race. Scheduled for 9:45am to 12:15pm, the 100km elite men’s race will feature 17 professional teams from around the world on an undulating circuit linking several of Hong Kong’s best-known landmarks, including the Hong Kong Palace Museum, ICC, Stonecutters Bridge and the Central Kowloon Bypass.
The varied terrain is designed to test speed, endurance and tactical nous, while also delivering a strong visual showcase of the city. Spectators will be able to watch from the viewing zone on Museum Drive in the West Kowloon Cultural District.
The event timetable also includes a CEO Charity and Celebrity Ride, a family ride and a day-long Cyclothon Carnival at West Kowloon running from 6:30am until 6pm. That broader festival feel remains a big part of the Cyclothon’s appeal, helping make it more than just a morning on the bike.
Riders entering either the 32km or 56km events will need to complete a cycling technique assessment unless they qualify for an exemption. Exemptions apply to riders who have passed a Hong Kong Cyclothon assessment in 2024 or 2025, completed eligible Cyclothon rides between 2022 and 2024, or taken part in approved road races organised by CAHK, the UCI or other eligible cycling bodies between 1 January 2025 and 1 July 2026.
For Australian riders, the event offers an appealing spring target with an overseas twist. Hong Kong’s compact layout, efficient transport and strong hospitality offering make it a relatively easy event city to navigate, while the route itself delivers something genuinely hard to replicate elsewhere: the chance to ride major urban infrastructure in a global city before settling in to watch elite racing and enjoy the carnival atmosphere onshore.
Event details
Date
11 October 2026
Times
5:15 – 8:15am: 56 km Ride
6:45 – 8:30am: 32 km Ride
9:45am – 12:15pm : UCI Class 1.1 Road Race
11 – 11:25am CEO : Charity and Celebrity Ride
2 – 5pm: Covation Family Fun Ride
6:30am – 6pm: Cyclothon Carnival at the West Kowloon Cultural District
(Times are subject to change without prior notice.)
Registrations are being accepted on a first come, first served basis. For full event details and entry information, visit discoverhongkong.com/eng/events/cyclothon.html.
