The 2026 Confederation of African Cycling (CAC) African Road Cycling Championships will take place in Kisumu, Kenya, from October 21 to 25, 2026. Over 300 elite riders from more than 30 countries will compete for continental titles in various categories. Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong'o confirmed the dates, stating that the city is ready to host the event. This will mark the third consecutive year Kenya has hosted the championships, following editions in Eldoret in 2024 and Kwale County in 2025.
The championships will determine Africa's road cycling champions across junior, under-23, and elite categories for both men and women. Riders will compete in national colors in individual time trials, a mixed team relay, and mass-start road races. There will be 15 categories scheduled across the five-day event. Winners will earn the right to wear the African champion's jersey during the following season. The event is expected to attract significant attention both locally and internationally.
Organizers project close to 90,000 digital engagements and over 1.8 million social media impressions during the event. The championships are also expected to boost the local economy, particularly hotels, restaurants, transport companies, event crews, and security teams. Residents will have the opportunity to participate through a social fun ride on October 24, 2026, covering a 20.4-kilometer route. The event aims to promote cycling and engage the local community.
The official program will use Kisumu as the start and finish point, with races covering repeated laps around a city circuit. The individual time trials on October 21 will feature different distances for each category. Women junior riders will cover 10.2 kilometers, while men junior riders will race over 20.4 kilometers. Women elite and under-23 riders will cover 30.6 kilometers, and men in the same categories will race over 40.8 kilometers.
The mixed elite and under-23 relay will take place on October 22, followed by men's and women's youth road races. Junior road races will be held on October 23, with women covering 68.8 kilometers and men racing over 119.8 kilometers. The public social ride will take place on October 24, before the women's elite and under-23 road race, which covers 122.2 kilometers. The championships will conclude on October 25 with the men's elite and under-23 road race over 175.2 kilometers.
Kenya has hosted the continental championships in different parts of the country in recent years. The 2024 edition was held in Eldoret, and the 2025 championships took place in Kwale County. Kisumu will provide a different challenge, with a flatter lakeside setting around Lake Victoria compared to the highlands and coastal routes used previously. This change in terrain may affect the competition dynamics.
Eritrea has been a dominant force in the men's road race in recent years, while South Africa, Rwanda, Algeria, and Uganda have also featured regularly on the podium. Kenyan riders will now have the advantage of competing on home roads in Nyanza. The event is expected to promote Kenyan cycling and provide a platform for local riders to compete against top African cyclists.
Key points
- Over 300 elite riders from more than 30 countries will compete in the 2026 African Road Cycling Championships in Kisumu, Kenya.
- The championships will feature 15 categories across five days, including individual time trials, a mixed team relay, and mass-start road races.
- The event is expected to boost the local economy and promote cycling in Kenya.
