CHANHASSEN, Minnesota (October 23, 2025) — The 2026 Life Time Grand Prix off-road cycling series will award a record $590,000 in total prize money—a 55% increase from 2025—organizers announced Wednesday, as the premier mixed-discipline series enters its fifth season.
The overall series prize purse grows to $350,000, paying out $175,000 to both the women’s and men’s fields. UNBOUND Gravel 200 and the Leadville Trail 100 MTB will each offer $60,000 in prize money, ranking them among the most lucrative off-road races in North America.
“With the expanded prize purse, a more structured and performance-based selection process, and our investment in athlete development through the U23 program, we’ve created an unparalleled platform that both acknowledges and rewards the most dedicated and accomplished riders in the sport,” said Kimo Seymour, series president.
Event Schedule and Live Coverage
The 2026 season includes six events, with each athlete’s best five finishes counting toward overall standings:
- Thursday, April 16: Sea Otter Classic Gravel
- Saturday, May 30: UNBOUND Gravel 200 presented by Shimano
- Saturday, August 15: Leadville Trail 100 MTB presented by Kenetik
- Saturday, September 19: Chequamegon Mountain Bike Festival
- Sunday, October 11: Little Sugar MTB
- Saturday, October 17: Big Sugar Gravel presented by Kenetik
Organizers will broadcast four events live: Sea Otter Classic Gravel, UNBOUND Gravel 200, Leadville Trail 100 MTB, and Big Sugar Gravel.
Selection Process
Each men’s and women’s field will feature 25 athletes selected through a performance-based process. The 2026 rosters will include:
- The top five overall finishers from the 2025 Grand Prix
- The top overall U23 athlete from the 2025 series
- A minimum of 16 selected athletes
- Three Wild Card athletes chosen following UNBOUND Gravel 200
A selection committee will evaluate applications based on performances over the past 12 months at series events and select national and international off-road races, including Cape Epic, BC Bike Race, and the UCI Gravel World Championships.
Athletes can apply between October 27 and November 5. Organizers will announce the final roster on November 11. Riders must be 18 years or older as of December 31, 2025.
Enhanced Prize Structure and Athlete Support
The overall Grand Prix prize purse extends through 10th place. Winners receive $50,000, second place earns $33,000, and third place takes $21,000. New for 2026, athletes finishing 11th and beyond in the overall standings with at least three event finishes will receive $2,500 in professional finisher compensation.
Selected athletes receive complimentary entry to series events nationwide, professional media exposure through broadcast and digital channels, and access to more than 185 athletic country club locations across North America for training and recovery. The series covers all Grand Prix athlete entries, expanding in 2026 to include all U23 athletes selected following UNBOUND Gravel.
Additional information is available at lifetimegrandprix.com.
