The 11th edition of the Al Salam Cycling Championship has been officially announced under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Recognized as the world’s largest event for amateur cyclists, the championship serves as a key pillar in Dubai’s sporting calendar, aimed at fostering a culture of health and enhancing the quality of life for the community. The championship traces a remarkable path that has established it as the world’s largest event of its kind for amateur cyclists and one of the most prominent community sporting events in Dubai and the UAE, signalling the start of its 2026–2027 season.
Scheduled to run from December 27, 2026, through March 14, 2027, the upcoming season will host five distinct races catering to a wide range of competitors, including amateurs, professional riders, national teams, and various cycling clubs. Organizers anticipate an international field of approximately 1,900 participants, all competing for a substantial total prize purse of Dhs3.695 million.
Omair Bin Juma Al Falasi, Director General of the Private Office of the Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Supreme Organising Committee, emphasized that the event aligns with Sheikh Mohammed’s vision to utilize sport as a tool for community empowerment. According to Al Falasi, the championship has grown significantly since its inception, providing a vital platform for both Emirati and international cyclists to showcase their skills and pursue competitive excellence. It has emerged as a notable platform to promote a community sporting culture, inspiring people to stay fit and fulfil their potential, and providing Emiratis the competitive edge to enhance their sporting performances, going beyond the boundaries of sporting competition.
The competitive schedule begins on December 27 with the Emirati Men’s Amateur Race, an event projected to attract over 250 riders and offering a prize pool of Dhs1 million. This will be followed on January 17, 2027, by the Elite Race. Featuring professionals, club riders, and national team members, including those from GCC countries, the Elite Race will also carry a Dhs1 million prize and is expected to host more than 350 participants.
On January 24, 2027, the championship will highlight the growing influence of women in the sport through the dedicated Women’s Race. This event, which invites amateur and professional women from around the globe, features a prize fund of Dhs460,000 and is expected to draw over 200 entrants. Shortly after, the Open Desert Race on January 31, 2027, will test the mettle of 500 competitors across four categories: men’s amateurs, men’s professionals, women’s amateurs, and women’s professionals, with Dhs535,000 in prize money at stake. The upcoming edition is expected to draw extensive international participation in keeping with the championship’s exemplary level of organisation and consistently high standards of competition.
The season is set to conclude on March 14, 2027, with the Arqoub Al Sadeera Race. This final event will serve as a culminating gathering for top-tier amateur and professional cyclists from various international backgrounds.
Beyond the competition, the 11th edition seeks to leverage Dubai’s advanced infrastructure to boost the emirate’s global status as a premier destination for major sporting events. By integrating sports into everyday life, the committee continues to expand the event’s reach, encouraging fitness and individual performance growth among all age groups and demographics. These efforts further strengthen the emirate’s position as a global destination for major sporting events and exceptional athletes.
