The 2026 Tissot UCI Track World Championships began at the Shanghai Velodrome in Chongming district on Oct 14 and will run through Oct 18, marking the first time the event has been held on the Chinese mainland.

A total of 22 world titles are on the line — 11 for men and 11 for women. The program features all six Olympic track cycling disciplines: sprint, team sprint, keirin, team pursuit, Madison, and omnium.

The championships also mark the start of the qualification points race for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

What to watch

Track cycling events fall into two main categories: sprint and endurance. Here's how the six Olympic disciplines are structured:

Sprint: Two riders race head-to-head over three laps. They often start slowly, watching each other's moves and jockeying for position before accelerating into a final sprint.

Team sprint: Two teams of three riders race over three laps, starting from opposite sides of the track. The first two riders each lead for one lap before pulling aside, leaving the final rider to finish the race.

Keirin: Riders follow a pacing motorcycle that gradually accelerates before leaving the track after 750 meters. The cyclists then race over the remaining three laps, using speed and positioning to reach the finish line first.

Team pursuit: Two teams of four riders start on opposite sides of the track and race over 4 kilometers. Riders take turns leading to maintain speed. The team's time is recorded when its third rider crosses the finish line, unless one team catches the other.

Madison: Teams of two riders compete in a relay-style endurance race, taking turns racing and resting. They exchange places with a hand sling, earning points through intermediate sprints and gaining or losing points by lapping or being lapped by the main group.

Omnium: Riders compete in four races — scratch, tempo, elimination, and points. They earn points based on their finishing positions in the first three races, with points scored in the final points race added to their totals. The rider with the highest overall score wins.

Event schedule

World titles will be decided every day through Oct 18. Check the schedule below for upcoming races.

Venue and admission

Venue: Shanghai Velodrome

Tickets: Available through the Damai app or WeChat mini program

Entrance: Gate 3 of the Shanghai Chongming Sports Training Base

Getting there

By shuttle bus

Free shuttle buses operate between Longyang Road Metro Station (Exit 21) and Shanghai Velodrome throughout the championships. Passengers must show their ticket purchase page to board. The service runs directly to the venue with no intermediate stops.

Departure times vary by date. Check the shuttle schedule and pick-up points below.

By car

No spectator parking is available inside the venue. Drivers may park at Dongtan Business Plaza or nearby.

A separate shuttle service will operate between Dongtan Business Plaza and the venue, from one hour before the day's competitions until 30 minutes after they end.

Pick-up points:

• Dongtan Business Plaza: Yuzheng Road, outside Atour Hotel Shanghai Chongming Dongtan Business Plaza
• Shanghai Velodrome: Parking 3 at Shanghai Chongming Sports Training Base

Scan the QR code below for the full spectator guide.

Sources: Shanghai Administration of Sports, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI)