Slovenia to Become the European Stage for Road Cycling in October

The Slovenian Tourist Board will strongly support the European Championships through all its communication channels and with numerous promotional activities across international markets.

Slovenia Is Europe’s Cycling Star of 2026

Slovenia is entering the final months of preparation for the country’s central sporting event of 2026. The UEC Road European Championships, taking place in Slovenia from 2 to 7 October 2026, represent an exceptional opportunity for professional cyclists from across Europe to experience green and active Slovenia – a country that lives and breathes sport, and especially cycling.

The championships will bring together 51 countries, 800 competitors and 500 accompanying staff members. A particularly important aspect of the event’s reach will be its television broadcasts: according to estimates, 16 million viewers will follow the championships on Eurosport and EBU channels.

At the presentation of preparations for the major sporting spectacle, MSc. Maja Pak Olaj, Director of the Slovenian Tourist Board, said:

“The UEC Road European Championships represent an important new milestone in positioning Slovenia as one of the leading cycling nations and an outstanding destination for active experiences. In recent years, Slovenia has become synonymous with top-level road cycling – both thanks to the exceptional achievements of Slovenian cyclists and the excellent organisation of international sporting events. At the Slovenian Tourist Board, we have successfully connected sport and tourism for many years, and together with elite athletes and major cycling events, we continue to strengthen the recognition of the I feel Slovenia brand and Slovenia as a green, active and sustainable destination. The Slovenian Tourist Board will strongly support the Championships through all its communication channels and through numerous promotional activities abroad, presenting both the championships and Slovenia as a premier destination for sports and cycling experiences throughout the year.”

The Slovenian Tourist Board continuously strengthens Slovenia’s visibility in the field of green and active experiences and sports tourism, particularly cycling tourism. Significant contributions are also made by ambassadors of Slovenian tourism and leading figures of the golden era of Slovenian cycling, Primož Roglič and Tadej Pogačar. A new landing page for The UEC Road European Championships will provide fans and visitors with comprehensive information in one place. In addition, the Slovenian Tourist Board will highlight the 12 participating municipalities, sustainable and active green experiences across Slovenia, and the I feel Slovenia brand through a dedicated digital campaign. Fans will also receive I feel Slovenia supporter flags.

As stated by Enrico Della Casa, President of the Union Européenne de Cyclisme (UEC), hosting the championships represents an important recognition of Slovenia and its development of cycling: “The European Championships will take place in a country experiencing a true golden era of cycling. The exceptional results of recent years and the emergence of new generations confirm the strength and vision of a system capable of developing both elite athletes and young talents. We are confident that the championships will deliver races of the highest technical standards and outstanding sporting moments.”

Andraž Vehovar, President of the Cycling Federation of Slovenia, emphasized that the championships represent an important recognition of the development of Slovenian cycling and of the generation that has placed Slovenia on the global cycling map: “The UEC Road European Championships are the biggest cycling event in the history of our country and a tribute to the exceptional generation of Slovenian cyclists. At the same time, it is important to emphasize that the Slovenian cycling miracle did not happen overnight. Next year, we will mark 140 years of cycling in Slovenia, and its development has been made possible through decades of expert, dedicated, and largely voluntary work.”

12 Participating Municipalities, Including Pogačar’s Hometown

Over five days, the UEC Road European Championships in Slovenia will host junior and elite road races and time trials for more than 50 national teams. The main hosts will be the Ljubljana City Municipality and the Municipality of Šenčur, while races will also take place in Medvode, Kranj, Preddvor, Škofja Loka, Vodice, Komenda, Mengeš, Domžale, Kamnik and Cerklje na Gorenjskem.

It is rare for the current European champion to defend the title on home roads – and at the same time on the very roads where he rode some of his first cycling kilometres. Amid the spectacular backdrop of the Kamnik–Savinja Alps, great interest from domestic and international sports and cycling enthusiasts, as well as Slovenian and international media, will focus on whether Tadej Pogačar can repeat his 2025 success. If successful, Pogačar would become the first rider ever to defend the European champion’s jersey.

Tomaž Poljanec, Secretary General of the European Championships, explained the route presentation as follows: “In designing the route, we sought a balance between sporting challenge, organizational feasibility, and showcasing Slovenia in the best possible light. The course meets the standards of the UEC while also being adapted to the Slovenian landscape and the logistical demands of such a major event — from airport accessibility and motorway connections to minimizing the impact of road closures on local communities. We have created a course that will be attractive, open, and dynamic, featuring a final circuit that is selective but not excessively demanding. At the same time, we would like to sincerely thank the municipalities for their support in ensuring the necessary infrastructure and involving local communities. We hope local residents will embrace the championships as their own and help us create an atmosphere that will give the cyclists an extra boost of energy.”

Slovenia Is a Green and Active Country Hosting Top Sporting Events

The UEC Road European Championships are the largest cycling event in Slovenia’s history and one of the country’s largest sporting events of the year. With its green image, unique natural backdrop, sustainable orientation, outstanding athletes and genuine hospitality, Slovenia continues to capture the hearts of millions around the world. As a host of major sporting events, Slovenia has repeatedly proven its ability to impress both elite athletes and visiting fans.

The championships will carry significant sporting, tourism and economic importance. Bringing together 51 countries, 800 competitors and numerous accompanying teams, the event will be followed by more than 16 million viewers across Europe. It will further strengthen cooperation between sport, tourism, local communities and the economy, while also contributing to Slovenia’s greater international visibility.

The Growing Popularity of the European Cycling Championships and Strong Interest in Slovenia

The UEC Road European Championships have been held since 2016 and are considered one of the youngest competitions in cycling, yet one that is rapidly gaining popularity and prestige. Slovenia’s autumn sporting spectacle is therefore much more than a sports event. It is a story of connecting sport, tourism, local communities, the economy and people, while also serving as a tribute to Slovenia as a true cycling powerhouse.

Within a small geographic area, Slovenia offers a unique combination of Alpine, Mediterranean, Karst and Pannonian cycling experiences. At the same time, cycling promotes sustainable mobility, an active lifestyle and a responsible attitude towards the environment, making events like these an important part of the future of sustainable tourism.

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Photo: Vid Ponikvar / Sportida Cover

In the cover photo, from left to right: Franjo Bobinac, President of the Olympic Committee of Slovenia – Association of Sports Federations; MSc. Maja Pak Olaj, Director of the Slovenian Tourist Board; Andraž Vehovar, President of the Cycling Federation of Slovenia; Enrico Della Casa, President of the Union Européenne de Cyclisme (UEC); Tomaž Poljanec, Secretary General of the European Championships; and Luka Mezgec, Slovenian professional cyclist.

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