Philadelphia Cycling Classic to Return in 2026

After a decade-long absence from the city, the Philadelphia Cycling Classic is set to return on Aug. 30, 2026, with a men's race and a women's race. Some of the top international cyclists will compete in the event.

The Cycling Classic was a fixture in Philadelphia every summer after it launched in 1985. However, it has not been held since 2016 due to a lack of sponsorship.

Former mayor Michael Nutter and local businessmen Eric Robbins and Carlos Rogers lead the event's revival.

“This is the people's race,” Nutter said to The Philadelphia Inquirer. “It spans an area of 14-plus miles from Center City to Fairmount Park to Manayunk. The cyclists take in all of that, and I think our course is a dynamic [one] that I don't think cyclists will find in other places.”

The race's return is part of Philadelphia's larger 2026 sports lineup, which includes the MLB All-Star Game, FIFA World Cup matches, March Madness, and the PGA Championship. All will be set against the backdrop of the 250th anniversary (semiquincentennial) of the United States next year.

The Philadelphia Cycling Classic has a celebrated history. In the past, the event has featured legendary cyclists such as Lance Armstrong, who won the race in 1993, and Greg LeMond, who raced during the 1980s and 1990s. It is renowned for its lively atmosphere and spectators lining the course.

Cyclists who have participated in past events can speak about the infamous Manayunk Wall, a signature part of the race. According to The Philadelphia Inquirer report, this steep, 17% gradient hill on Levering Street is considered one of the most challenging climbs in professional cycling.

Race Street Partners, the new organizing body behind the race, secured support for the 2026 Philadelphia Cycling Classic through a sponsorship deal with AmeriGas.