Cycle-ball Worlds saved: the 2026 World Championships move to Ludwigsburg
A few weeks ago it looked as though there would be no Indoor Cycling World Championships at all in 2026. The event planned for 16 to 18 October in Derby, Great Britain, was cancelled — the local organiser could no longer guarantee it financially or organisationally. For the best cycle-ball players and artistic cyclists in the world, the high point of the season was suddenly gone. Now the Worlds have been saved, and they are coming to Germany.
The German cycling federation German Cycling has taken over the staging at short notice. From 30 October to 1 November 2026 the world titles in cycle-ball and artistic cycling will be decided at the MHPArena in Ludwigsburg — three days of indoor cycling at the highest level, put together in five weeks.
«When we heard about the cancellation in Derby, it was quickly clear to us that we wanted to take responsibility», says GC president Bernd Dankowski. «Putting a World Championship on its feet within a few weeks is a big challenge. But precisely as one of the defining nations in indoor cycling, we want to help make sure the World Championships can take place.»
Katharina Schwarz, GC vice-president for indoor cycling, looks to the athletes: «Our attention is above all on the athletes of every nation who have worked towards this high point of the season with great passion and enormous commitment. Being able to give them the stage for their World Championships is a strong signal to the entire international indoor cycling family.» For the German entrants there is something on top that cannot be planned: a home Worlds.
Germany is therefore hosting the indoor Worlds for the third time in a row — after Bremen in 2024 and Göppingen in 2025, now Ludwigsburg in 2026. The championships are being organised by the agency 8action. «Our aim is to give the athletes, and the fans in the MHPArena too, three days of indoor cycling at the highest level», says managing director Jens Zimmermann.
The MHPArena is no school gym. Opened in 2009, the multi-purpose hall holds a good 5,300 spectators for basketball and over 7,000 for concerts — a stage cycle-ball rarely gets. Ticket sales opened today. If you have ever wanted to see the fastest ball sport on two wheels live rather than on a screen: late October, Ludwigsburg.