109th Giro d’Italia takes place from 9 May – 1 June 2026

Our Guide to the European Cycling Road Race Calendar

Europe is the beating heart of professional road cycling, hosting some of the world’s most thrilling, grueling and historic races.

The continent’s road race calendar spans over a dozen countries, weaving through breathtaking landscapes, from the towering peaks of the Alps to the rolling fields of Flanders.

Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just discovering the sport, there’s something magical about watching riders battle it out across Europe’s most iconic road – the scenery’s not bad either!

While the Big Three—the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France and La Vuelta a España—steal the limelight, the European race calendar is packed with incredible events that test the world’s best cyclists to their limits.

Let’s dive into the key races and legendary riders coming your way this year.

Celebrating Europe’s Biggest Road Races

Every year crowds gather around the roads (and televisions) of Italy, France and Spain to watch European cycling’s trio of toughest races.

Giro d’Italia (Italy – May)

A celebration of passion, history and sheer endurance, the Giro d’Italia is often considered the most beautiful of the Grand Tours.

This three-week tussle takes riders across Italy’s picturesque yet punishing terrain, from the Dolomites to the sun-soaked Mediterranean coast.

The Giro is infamous for its steep climbs, unpredictable weather, and explosive racing. With past winners like Vincenzo Nibali, Marco Pantani, and Alberto Contador, the race has created legends and heartbreaks alike.

Race Highlights:

  • Key Climbs: Passo dello Stelvio, Mortirolo, Zoncolan
  • Pink Jersey: The leader wears the Maglia Rosa
  • Famous Moments: Chris Froome’s unforgettable solo attack in 2018

Tour de France (France – July)

The Tour de France is cycling’s most prestigious and widely watched event. Spanning three weeks and over 3,000 kilometers, it’s a brutal test of endurance, tactics and climbing class.

Riders must conquer legendary mountains like Alpe d’Huez and Mont Ventoux, with the final stage concluding in spectacular fashion on Paris’s Champs-Élysées.

The Yellow Jersey, or Maillot Jaune, is the most coveted prize in cycling. Legends like Eddy Merckx, Miguel Indurain, Tadej Pogačar, Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome have all inscribed their names in Tour history.

Race Highlights

  • Key Climbs: Alpe d’Huez, Mont Ventoux, Col du Tourmalet
  • Yellow Jersey: Awarded to the overall leader
  • Famous Moments: Greg LeMond’s eight-second victory over Laurent Fignon in 1989

La Vuelta a España (Spain – August-September)

Race season moves on to sunny Spain in late summer. La Vuelta a España has developed a reputation for its unpredictable racing, brutal climbs and late-season drama.

The red jersey (La Roja) awaits the most consistent rider over three weeks of punishing heat and relentless ascents, including the infamous Angliru and Lagos de Covadonga.

Race Highlights

  • Key Climbs: Angliru, Lagos de Covadonga, Sierra Nevada
  • Red Jersey: General classification leader wears La Roja
  • Famous Moments: Primož Roglič’s Vuelta dominance in recent years

Other Sporty Fun in Andalucia

You may not know it, but sun-soaked Andalucia is a sporting Mecca come the summertime. This stunning part of the world doesn’t just play host to the great and the good of the cycling world, it also hosts events like:

Don’t worry if you can’t make it out for them all though, as we’re covering them over on the dedicated TA-DAH.TV Sports Channel.

Beyond the Grand Tours: Europe’s Iconic Races

The three Grand Tours make up the Marquis events in the summer of cycling. But there are more contests on the calendar that you should probably be aware of. So, let’s mark your card for the rest of the season.

Spring Classics: The One-Day Beasts

The Spring Classics are cycling’s ultimate one-day tests of power and resilience. These races demand brute strength, skill, and a touch of madness.

  • Paris-Roubaix (France): Known as the “Hell of the North,” this race features punishing cobbled sectors that shake bikes and bones alike.
  • Tour of Flanders (Belgium): Short, sharp climbs and legendary cobblestones make this a national obsession in Belgium.
  • Liège-Bastogne-Liège (Belgium): One of the oldest classics, featuring relentless climbs and unpredictable weather.
  • Milan-San Remo (Italy): The longest one-day race at nearly 300km, ending with a thrilling sprint along the Ligurian coast.

Other Key Stage Races

  • Critérium du Dauphiné (France) – A crucial warm-up for the Tour de France.
  • Tour de Suisse (Switzerland) – A mountainous spectacle and key preparation race.
  • Volta a Catalunya (Spain) – One of the oldest races, testing riders in the Pyrenees.
  • Tour of the Basque Country (Spain) – Steep climbs and passionate fans make this a thrilling week of racing.

Europe’s Cycling Stars: The Riders to Watch

Modern cycling is brimming with talent, with European riders dominating the peloton. Here are just a few names to keep an eye on:

  • Peter Sagan (Germany) – A three-time world champion and one of the best sprinters and classics specialists of his era.
  • Chris Froome (Great Britain) – Four-time Tour de France winner and one of the best Grand Tour riders of his generation.
  • Geraint Thomas (Great Britain) – Heading into his final year, the 2018 Tour de France champion will be hoping to bow out with the biggest of bangs
  • Vincenzo Nibali (Italy) – One of the few riders to have won all three Grand Tours.
  • Egan Bernal (Colombia) – A Giro and Tour winner fighting back from injury.
  • Fabio Aru (Italy) – 2015 Vuelta a España winner with strong climbing ability.
  • Michal Kwiatkowski (Poland) – A versatile rider with a world championship title.
  • Julian Alaphilippe (France) – A punchy, aggressive rider with back-to-back world championships.
  • Alejandro Valverde (Spain) – A cycling legend with countless victories across multiple disciplines.
  • Richard Carapaz (Ecuador) – Giro d’Italia winner and strong climber.
  • Thibaut Pinot (France) – A fan-favorite climber known for aggressive racing.
  • Primož Roglič (Slovenia) – Vuelta a España specialist and all-around powerhouse.
  • Tadej Pogačar (Slovenia) – A two-time Tour de France champion with an aggressive racing style.
  • Tom Dumoulin (Netherlands) – A time-trial specialist and former Giro winner.
  • Fernando Gaviria (Colombia) – One of the best sprinters in the world.
  • Greg Van Avermaet (Netherlands) – Olympic champion and classics specialist.

Women’s Cycling on the Rise

Women’s cycling is experiencing a well-deserved surge in popularity, with races like the Tour de France Femmes, Giro Donne, and Paris-Roubaix Femmes gaining recognition.

The UCI is pushing for gender equality, with initiatives to promote and support female cyclists.

Watch out for stars like Annemiek van Vleuten, Marianne Vos, and Elisa Longo Borghini, who are dominating the sport and inspiring the next generation.

UCI Road World Championships Dates for Your Diary

Here’s a complete look at the dates for your diary in this year’s summer of cycling in Europe:

March

  • 1 March: Omloop Nieuwsblad (Belgium)
  • 8 March: Strade Bianche (Italy)
  • 9-16 March: Paris-Nice (France)
  • 22 March: Milano-Sanremo (Italy)

April

  • 6 April: Ronde van Vlaanderen (Belgium)
  • 13 April: Paris-Roubaix (France)
  • 20 April: Amstel Gold Race (Netherlands)

May

  • 10 May – 1 June: Giro d’Italia (Italy)

June

  • 8-15 June: Critérium du Dauphiné (France)
  • 15-22 June: Tour de Suisse (Switzerland)

July

  • 5-27 July: Tour de France (France)

August

  • 23 August – 14 September: La Vuelta a España (Spain)

Tune In To Our Sports Channel For More European Events

Of course, the European road race calendar is just one of the enticing sporting attractions in the buffet of contests on the continent – and we’ll be across them all!

From the Six Nations rugby tournament to the Wingfoil Freestyle Championship, Europe is always studded with sporty events.

Find news from them all over on our dedicated Sports Channel!

LIV Golf Andalucia 2026: 5 – 7 June at RCdG Valderrama

LIV Golf League 2025: New Adventures, Thrilling Competitions, and Global Expansion!

Golf fans, get ready! The LIV Golf League, known for its innovative team-based format and world-class athletes, has just unveiled an exciting lineup for its 2025 season. With stops in South Korea and Indiana just added, a return to fan-favourite destinations, and the continuation of legendary rivalries, 2025 promises unforgettable moments.

After sparking into life back in 2022, the LIV Golf League is the newest ticket in the golfing world. And phew! What a high bar it will be to beat!

TA.DAH.TV sent Claudia Peifer to their awesome Andalucia event to find out what the vibes are like. Check out the video below and let’s talk about the LIV Golf 2025 calendar – if the thriller final of 2024 is anything to go by, be prepared for Sergio Garcia to put up a solid fight to keep his title. Winning this tournament after a double play-off (the first in this competition’s young history), expect the Spaniard to display passion, grit and sheer talent to win in front of his home crowd, or as the Spanish say: ‘en casa’, once again!

LIV Golf League 2025 Schedule

LIV Golf has never been bigger. The 2024 League saw record crowds, award-winning events and some pretty incredible on-course action from around the world.

But, in 2025, more locations are being added to the line-up – the latest two to be announced are South Korea and Indiana, with Riyadh also making a tour debut.

Here’s the full list of events before we tick them all off in more detail.

  • Riyadh Golf Club, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – 6 – 8 February
  • The Grange Golf Club, Adelaide, Australia – 14 – 16 February
  • Hong Kong Golf Club at Fanling, Hong Kong – 7 – 9 March
  • Sentosa Golf Club, Singapore – 14 – 16 March
  • Jack Nicklaus Golf Club, Incheon, South Korea – 2 – 4 May
  • Maridoe Golf Club, Dallas, USA – 27 – 29 June
  • Real Club Valderrama, Andalucia, Spain – 11 – 13 July
  • JCB Golf & Country Club, Rocester, UK – 25 – 27 July
  • Bolingbrook Golf Club, Chicago, USA – 8 – 10 August
  • The Club at Chatham Hills, Indianapolis, USA – 15 – 17 August

Now that we know where the best in the world are going to be and when, let’s take a look at each date in more detail – starting with the newest locations on the line-up.

New Adventures in Riyadh, South Korea and Indiana

South Korea and Indiana might be the latest announcements this year, but there is another location making its tour debut in 2025 too.

Riyadh On Debut

The season opener in Saudi Arabia’s capital marks a significant moment for the League. As LIV Golf makes its Riyadh debut, fans can expect a mix of intense competition and cultural immersion. The city’s modern skyline and rich heritage will serve as a stunning backdrop to kickstart the season.

Plus, the LIV Golf League is financed by the Public Investment Fund (the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia) so no pressure to get this event right then… yikes!

Korea Makes History

In early May, the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club in Incheon, South Korea will host LIV Golf for the first time, making it the League’s fourth stop in Asia in 2025.

This stunning course, designed by the legendary Jack Nicklaus himself, is no stranger to high-profile events, having hosted the 2015 Presidents Cup. With its proximity to Seoul and its reputation for challenging layouts, the tournament is set to attract not only top golfers but also enthusiastic fans eager to witness history.

Indiana Welcomes the Individual Championship

Fast forward to August, and it’s time for Indiana to shine! The Club at Chatham Hills in Westfield will host the 2025 Individual Championship, the thrilling finale of the League’s individual competition.

This Pete Dye-designed course promises to test the mettle of players as they battle for glory and secure positions for the 2026 season.

Claudia Peifer chatted with Eugenio Chacarra following his successful second round at Valderrama

Spotlight on Andalucia – Golf Stars Come Back to Spain

Events on the Ladies European Tour and PGA Tour highlight just how much of a popular spot the Costa del Sol is on the global golfing scene.

So, it’s only right that the seventh leg of the LIV Golf League 2025 tour at Real Club Valderrama in Spain is one of the most anticipated stops of them all.

As you can see from our video, this breathtaking course is legendary, having hosted the 1997 Ryder Cup, the Estrella Damm Masters and countless other memorable events.

Expect Sergio Garcia and his Fireballs GC team to bring their A-game as they defend their 2024 team title.

Why is LIV Golf Andalucía is Unmissable?

  • Spectacular Venue: Real Club Valderrama is often hailed as one of Europe’s finest courses, combining natural beauty with a formidable challenge.
  • Star Power: Sergio Garcia, a Valderrama favorite, returns with his fiery competitiveness to defend his home turf.
  • Exclusive Video Experience: Dive into the stunning scenery and behind-the-scenes action of Andalucía through our special video feature showcasing the magic of this Spanish masterpiece.

Sergio Garcia lining up a drive at Real Club Valderrama in Spain in the LIV Golf League

More Courses to Fill Your Calendar

This year’s LIV Golf calendar is even more chock-a-block than usual with those new dates in Korea and Indiana. But some old favourites could bring record-breaking crowds too:

LIV Golf Adelaide

Last year’s World Golf Awards named LIV Golf Adelaide the World’s Best Golf Event, and it’s easy to see why. Spectators in Australia embrace the League’s team format with unmatched enthusiasm, creating an electric atmosphere that players describe as “like no other.” Returning to The Grange Golf Club, this tournament is expected to raise the bar even higher.

LIV Golf Hong Kong

In its second year on the schedule, Hong Kong Golf Club will once again host the League’s stars on its historic grounds. The storied venue, steeped in tradition, contrasts beautifully with LIV Golf’s forward-thinking format, creating a unique event that bridges the old and the new.

LIV Golf Singapore

Rounding out the early part of the season is Sentosa Golf Club, home to the Serapong course, which has been voted the World’s Best Golf Course. Singapore’s vibrant culture and the venue’s immaculate design make this one of the most beloved stops on the calendar.

LIV Golf Chicago

Bolingbrook Golf Club has quickly become a Midwest hotspot for golf fans. Last year, it set a single-day attendance record for LIV Golf events in the U.S. That bulging crowd saw Jon Rahm claim his second win in three starts and secure the season-long individual title in a thrilling duel with Torque GC’s Joaquin Niemann

LIV Golf Dallas

Deep in the heart of Texas, Maridoe Golf Club promises another electrifying event. In 2024, the LIV Golf Team Championship was a highlight of the season, with Ripper GC, led by Captain Cameron Smith, stealing the show. This year, expect to see Smith and Co., alongside local hero and 2024 U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau.

LIV Golf UK by JCB

In its inaugural year, the JCB Golf and Country Club in England became an instant fan favourite, hosting sold-out crowds and delivering nail-biting action. Rahm’s first individual LIV Golf victory here was a storybook moment, as he outlasted a stacked leaderboard including Ripper and Torque GC skippers Niemann and Smith. This tournament is the LIV Golf Tour’s only other date in Europe, so make your way to this stunning club in Rocester/Uttoxeter in July!

More Than Just Golf

Anyone who has been to a LIV Golf event will tell you there’s more to the vibe than just watching incredible players duke it out on the course.

On your way to the various holes and match-ups, why not take the chance to show your team colours at the tattoo parlour, try a fun game, take on a tricky challenge or grab a bite to eat in the expansive Fan Village.

Plus, if you’ve seen our Music Channel, you’ll know that we’re all about superstar DJs. So we were incredibly excited to the live events and performances that also take place around the course.

Get More Golf News From our Sports Channel

There’s no doubt that, with a bigger player roster and this expanded event calendar, the LIV Golf League is only going in one direction.

Want to stay up-to-date with all the latest from the LIV tour and other sports across Europe? Then sign up for our free newsletter today and get it all direct to your inbox.

For everything else, from the Global Kitesurf World Tour to the La Vuelta de Espańa, we attend them all and bring the latest news back to you via our SPORTS CHANNEL.