What Is the UAE Tour?
The UAE Tour is an annual professional cycling stage race held across the United Arab Emirates. It was introduced in 2019 after the Abu Dhabi Tour and the Dubai Tour were brought together to create one unified event on the UCI World Tour calendar. In 2023, a women’s edition was added to the UCI Women’s World Tour expanding the race’s presence at the highest level of the sport.
The event is owned by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and organised by RCS Sport, the company also responsible for the Giro d’Italia and the Giro d’Italia Women.
UAE Tour 2026 Overview
The UAE Tour has become a key early-season race, drawing many of the world’s leading teams and riders. The women’s race was held from 5 to 8 February over four stages. Lorena Wiebes once again demonstrated her sprinting strength, while Elisa Longo Borghini claimed the overall victory with a strong ride on the final ascent of Jebel Hafeet.
The men’s race runs from 16 to 22 February 2026 and covers seven stages. The route offers a mix of flat sprint stages, rolling terrain and decisive mountain finishes. As in previous editions, the climb up Jebel Hafeet is expected to play a major role in determining the overall winner.
Among the riders likely to feature prominently are Remco Evenepoel, Isaac del Toro, Felix Gall and Jonathan Milan.
Since its launch, the race has produced notable champions, including Primož Roglič, Tadej Pogačar, Remco Evenepoel and Lennert Van Eetvelt, firmly establishing it as the Middle East’s only UCI World Tour stage race.
UAE Tour 2026 Route Details
- Stage 1 (16 February) – Madinat Zayed Majlis to Liwa Palace, 144 km
- Stage 2 (17 February) – Hudayriyat Island Individual Time Trial, 12.2 km
- Stage 3 (18 February) – Umm al Quwain to Jebel Mobrah, 183 km
- Stage 4 (19 February) – Fujairah to Fujairah, 182 km
- Stage 5 (20 February) – Dubai Al Mamzar Park to Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University, 166 km
- Stage 6 (21 February) – Al Ain Museum to Jebel Hafeet, 168 km
- Stage 7 (22 February) – Zayed National Museum to Abu Dhabi Breakwater, 149 km
How to Stream the UAE Tour 2026 for Free
In Australia, live coverage is available through SBS, with free streaming offered on SBS On Demand.
Viewers in Belgium can watch the race free of charge via VRT Max.
The event is also streamed live on the official UAE Tour YouTube channel, providing another free viewing option in selected regions.
Keep in mind that these platforms are geo-restricted, so access depends on your location. If you are travelling outside your home country, a VPN may be required to use your usual streaming service.
