Life Time is leaning arduous into its fifth season of the Grand Prix, and 2026 seems to be like essentially the most refined model but. The Minnesota-based endurance juggernaut is rolling out a boosted prize purse, a extra data-driven choice course of, and a return of dwell race protection—all whereas making an attempt to maintain the sequence’ signature steadiness between gravel and mountain racing intact.
The aim stays the identical: to create a sustainable, professional-level platform for off-road athletes. However with $590,000 in complete prize cash on the desk—up 55% from final 12 months—that is not only a U.S. home sequence; it’s a respectable proving floor for the perfect endurance racers on filth.
The Collection, The Stakes, The Schedule
The 2026 Life Time Grand Prix will function six hallmark occasions, mixing high-altitude mountain checks with long-haul gravel grinds. Every racer’s greatest 5 finishes will depend towards the general standings.
April 16 – Sea Otter Traditional Gravel
Could 30 – UNBOUND Gravel 200 introduced by Shimano
August 15 – Leadville Path 100 MTB introduced by Kenetik
September 19 – Chequamegon MTB Competition
October 11 – Little Sugar MTB
October 17 – Huge Sugar Gravel introduced by Kenetik
After testing the waters in 2025, Life Time is sticking with dwell protection for 4 occasions—Sea Otter, UNBOUND, Leadville, and Huge Sugar. It’s a transfer that not solely elevates fan engagement however offers sponsors and privateers actual visibility on the world stage.
File Purse, Actual Rewards
The 2026 Grand Prix boasts a record-breaking $590,000 prize pool, with $350,000 going towards the general standings—cut up evenly between women and men. Payouts now stretch by means of tenth place, with the general winners every pocketing $50,000. UNBOUND and Leadville will every function $60,000 in race-day payouts, whereas the remaining occasions hold a $30,000 purse.
A brand new twist this 12 months: riders ending exterior the highest ten (eleventh and past, with a minimum of three accomplished races) will take dwelling $2,500 in “professional finisher” compensation. It’s a nod to the grind of season-long racing and a option to help those that hold displaying up.
A Sharper Choice
Functions open October 27 by means of November 5, with the 2026 roster dropping November 11. Every males’s and ladies’s subject will cap at 25 athletes. The choice course of now prioritizes data-backed efficiency, evaluating outcomes from Life Time’s personal occasions and main international off-road races such because the Cape Epic, BC Bike Race, and the UCI Gravel Worlds.
Every roster will embrace:
The highest 5 general finishers from 2025
The highest U23 rider from the earlier season
16+ invited athletes, chosen by way of efficiency evaluate
Three Wild Card spots, earned post-UNBOUND
Returning for 2026, the Wild Card system (just like the one that allow Cam Jones in) lets late bloomers earn entry by performing properly on the Sea Otter Traditional and UNBOUND Gravel. It’s a intelligent option to hold the door open for brand new blood with out diluting the sector.
Past the Podium
Each Grand Prix athlete will obtain free entry to all Life Time-owned occasions nationwide—Silver Rush 50, Crusher within the Tushar, Lutsen 99er, and extra—plus entry to Life Time’s community of athletic golf equipment for coaching and restoration. Protection throughout Life Time’s broadcast and YouTube channels will highlight athlete tales and season battles.
What to Look Ahead To?
Between the expanded prize pool, refined choice system, and continued dedication to dwell protection, the sequence continues to push this mixture of gravel/mountain/extremely racing right into a extra skilled period—and we’re completely right here for it.
As Kimo Seymour, Life Time’s President of Media & Occasions, put it:
“We’ve created an unparalleled platform that each acknowledges and rewards essentially the most devoted and completed riders within the sport.”
With extra money, extra construction, and extra visibility, 2026 seems to be just like the 12 months the Grand Prix absolutely steps into its prime.
