Abu Dhabi Sports Council Announces AD Ports Group Gran Fondo to Take Place on 20 December

Abu Dhabi Sports Council has announced that the AD Ports Group Gran Fondo will take place on 20 December 2026, bringing together hundreds of cyclists from the UAE and around the world for a 154km ride starting at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain Region and finishing at Sheikh Zayed Festival in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi.

First launched in 2022 under the name Bike Abu Dhabi Gran Fondo, the community event has evolved from a local race into one of the region’s leading amateur cycling events, attracting participants from 68 nationalities last year. This reflects the diversity of the cycling community and contributes to promoting participation and a shared passion for sport.

The 2026 edition marks a new chapter in the event’s journey, with the AD Ports Group Gran Fondo joining the UCI Gran Fondo World Series as an official qualifying event for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships.

This new status gives participants in the AD Ports Group Gran Fondo, the opportunity to qualify for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships, adding a new international dimension to the event. The UCI Gran Fondo World Series comprises approximately 35 events worldwide, with the top 25 per cent of riders in each age group qualifying for the World Championships.

The total prize for the AD Ports Group Gran Fondo amounts to AED 2 million, in addition to a range of valuable in-kind prizes, further enhancing the level of competition among participants and adding greater momentum to the event in its latest edition.

The series welcomes both competitive and recreational cyclists, from experienced riders seeking to compete at a high level to amateurs looking to take on a new challenge, stay active and enjoy a distinctive sporting experience, all under the principle of Cycling for All.

His Excellency Aref Hamad Al Awani, General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said: “The inclusion of the AD Ports Group Gran Fondo in the UCI Gran Fondo World Series represents an important step in the event’s continued development and reflects Abu Dhabi’s growing position on the global cycling map, as well as its ability to organise and host events that combine community participation with competitive sport in line with the highest international standards”.

“We look forward to delivering an exceptional experience for participants from the UAE and abroad in the 2026 edition, particularly with cyclists having the opportunity to qualify for the World Championships. The route from Al Ain to Abu Dhabi also showcases the diversity of destinations and landmarks across the emirate and supports our ongoing efforts to encourage all segments of the community to embrace sport as part of their lifestyle”.