The UCI Track Champions League has been officially canceled after only four seasons, cutting short its eight-year commitment, organizers announced on Monday.
Launched in 2021 as a collaborative effort between the UCI and Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), the winter series aimed to elevate track cycling’s visibility with fast-paced, short-format races. WBD had initially committed to producing the series for eight years, but the partnership will now end halfway through its term.
According to a press release, WBD’s decision to cancel the series reflects the company’s intention to “redefine its involvement in the promotion of track cycling.” Going forward, WBD will shift its focus to the UCI Track Nations Cup series, which will be rebranded as the UCI Track World Cup next year.
Backed by a multi-million pound deal, the UCI Track Champions League was intended to be a flagship event in the track cycling calendar. In its second and third years, the series expanded, holding rounds in Palma de Mallorca, Berlin, Paris, and London. Each event was produced by a dedicated team of up to 300 people, overseeing logistics, broadcasting, and even the signature light shows that became a hallmark of the competition.
In addition to its vibrant atmosphere, the series offered a substantial prize pool, with €500,000 distributed annually across its four leagues—two for men and women, one each for sprint and endurance. The overall winners received €25,000, while individual race victors earned €1,000.
For riders like Katie Archibald, a three-time women’s endurance league champion, the series played a critical role in their careers. Archibald, a double Olympic champion, previously emphasized the importance of the series, stating, “What’s vital to me about this series is that this is a framework to exist as a professional track cyclist. And if you exist as a professional track cyclist, then you can chase your Olympic dream.”
Despite its initial success and growing popularity, the Track Champions League struggled with profitability. In its final year, the series was scaled back, with only three venues hosting events. The London round at the Lee Valley Velodrome ended abruptly after a crash involving Great Britain’s Katy Marchant, further adding to doubts about the competition’s future.
Sources had previously reported that no rounds were scheduled for the 2025 season, and Florian Pavia, the series director, announced his departure from the position on LinkedIn.
In a statement, UCI President David Lappartient acknowledged the league’s impact, noting that it had “helped to promote track cycling like never before.” He expressed confidence in the future of the sport, with plans for continued collaboration to enhance coverage of the UCI Track World Cup over the next three years, building momentum toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
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