2023 UCI Cycling World Championships schedule, tickets and events explained

Thirteen Cycling World Championships will take place in Scotland, but how do the Championships work, what is the schedule like and where can you purchase tickets?

The inaugural UCI Cycling World Championships is here, with cycling enthusiasts from around the world arriving in Scotland. 

With 13 World Championships taking place across 11 days, there are plenty of events to secure tickets for and plenty more which don’t need them at all.

If it all seems a little overwhelming, don't worry. From what events are on the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships schedule to where and when they take place, here's everything you need to know.

How will the Glasgow Cycling World Championships work?

For the first time ever, all seven cycling disciplines are coming together for a mega event which will see the world's best riders competing in Scotland.

There are 13 Championships which fall under the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, these are: BMX Freestyle Flatland; BMX Freestyle Park; BMX Racing; Gran Fondo; Indoor Cycling; Mountain Bike Cross-country; Mountain Bike Cross-country Marathon; Mountain Bike Downhill; Para-Cycling Road; Para-Cycling Track; Road; Track and finally, Trials.

The championships will primarily take place in Glasgow, but due to the variety of needs for each discipline events will span the whole of Scotland.

Some events, such as the road races, will be free for spectators to attend while attending venues such as the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome will require tickets. And if you're travelling for the mountain biking, you may also have to consider transport and accommodation.

Cycling World Championships 2023 schedule

With so many events taking place from August 3 to August 13, finding out when and where each Championship is taking place can quickly become confusing. We've pulled together the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships schedule in a searchable table so you can easily find out more.

BMX Freestyle Park world championships

There are three BMX events taking place across the Championships. Taking place at Glasgow Green, the BMX Freestyle Flatland event will see each rider combine as many tricks as possible in two 60 second rounds to impress the judges and crowd. Each round is scored out of a possible 100 points –  awarded on style, technique, difficulty and more –  and the highest total takes gold. 

The BMX Freestyle Flatland will take place at Glasgow Green. Qualifying will take place from 8am on Saturday August 5, semi-finals will take place on Sunday August 6 from 11am and the finals will be held on Monday August 7 from 1.30pm. 

Tickets will cost from £5 to £15 for Qualifiers and the semi-finals, and from £5 to £25 for the finals. 

BMX Freestyle Flatland world championships

The BMX Freestyle Flatland event is a unique event incorporating artistry and challenging competitors to spin and style their way through a 2-3 minute round, which is essentially dancing with a BMX. 

Riders will attempt tricks and hope to wow the judges with their talent and creativity while earning points for balance, stability, and control – with floor touches expected to be kept to a minimum. Often dizzying for both rider and spectator, this Glasgow Green event is free to attend. 

BMX Flatland has been described as parkour combined with breakdancing on a bike.

Qualifying for both the men and women’s events will take place in the afternoon of Tuesday August 8. The men’s Elite semi-finals will take place on Wednesday August 9 in the afternoon while the Elite finals – for both events – will take place the afternoon of Thursday August 10. 

BMX Racing world championships

This event is likely what springs to mind when the uninitiated think of BMX championships, with riders covering just a single lap they will encounter high-speed curves, big bumps and large jumps. 

There are only two UCI standard BMX venues in the UK, with Championship venue the Glasgow BMX Centre one of them, at 400m long and just 5m wide. 

Timings for this event are still to be confirmed, but BMX Racing will take place from Sunday August 6 to Wednesday August 9, and then again during the closing weekend on Saturday August 12 and Sunday August 13. Four day ticket bundles are available from just £20.  

Track and Para-Cycling Track world championships

There are a range of different Track Cycling events taking place at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome during the Cycling World Championships. These events will include Keirin, Team Pursuit, Points Race, Madison, Elimination and Omnium.

Track Para-cyclists will run the same events as their non-disabled counterparts, including the Spri