Tour of Oman 2026 Kicks Off on 6 February with 18 Teams

Tour of Oman 2026 to Showcase Sultanate’s Sporting and Tourism Appeal

Muscat: The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth today unveiled details of the 15th edition of the Tour of Oman International 2026, which will kick off on 6 February, with the participation of 18 international teams, during a press conference held in Muscat.

Saif bin Sabaa Al Rashidi, President of the Oman Cycling Federation and Director of the Tour of Oman International, said that since its launch in 2010, the Tour has witnessed remarkable development, becoming one of the world’s most prominent cycling races and a key fixture on the agenda of the International Cycling Union (UCI).

He explained that the 2026 edition will feature 18 international teams in addition to the Omani national team. The Tour will begin with the Muscat Classic race, starting from Al Mouj and ending at Al Bustan, covering a distance of 179.165 kilometres.

Al Rashidi outlined the approved stages of the Tour as follows:

• First stage: From the Flagpole in Muscat Governorate to Hawiyat Najm in Qurayyat (174.838 km).

• Second stage: From Al Fayha in Samail to Jabal Al Sharqi in Al Hamra (193.442 km).

• Third stage: From Al Rustaq Castle to the heights of Yiti (194.968 km).

• Fourth stage: From Al Suwadi Beach in Barka to Sohar (151.263 km).

• Final stage: From Nizwa to Jabal Al Akhdar (159.270 km).

Al Rashidi stressed that the Tour goes beyond being a sporting event, serving as a global platform for promoting Oman’s tourism and cultural diversity through extensive visual, audio, and digital media coverage. He noted that the Tour’s broadcast reach now spans five continents, showcasing the Sultanate’s natural beauty and geographic diversity across its governorates.

He added that the Tour has become a focal point for professional cyclists worldwide, reflecting its prominent position on the UCI calendar at both Asian and global levels. He also pointed out that the transition of several Tour riders to represent the national team highlights the event’s success in nurturing local talent capable of competing regionally and internationally.

Al Rashidi noted that the Muscat Classic race represents one of the Tour’s most significant achievements, having been classified by the UCI as one of Asia’s top races, ranking directly after the Japan race. It is the only one-day race at the continental level, and its upgraded classification strengthens Oman’s international sporting presence.

For his part, Hisham bin Juma Al Sinani, Director General of Sports Care and Development at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, said that the 2026 edition builds on the accumulated successes of previous years and reinforces the Tour’s status as one of the leading global sporting events on the international cycling calendar.

He added that Oman’s hosting of this prestigious event, with elite international participation, reflects the high level of confidence placed in the Sultanate’s organizational capabilities, as well as the professionalism and expertise of Omani youth in managing major international sporting events.

Al Sinani emphasized that the Tour also serves as an important tool for tourism and economic promotion, highlighting Oman’s natural, heritage, and environmental assets through carefully selected routes that traverse coastal areas, mountains, oases, and historic cities.

Meanwhile, Mansour bin Sulaiman Al Nabhani, Director of the Events and Awareness Department at Muscat Municipality, said that the Tour of Oman has become one of the most prominent international sporting events successfully established by the Sultanate on the global sports map.

He noted that Muscat Municipality attaches great importance to the success of the Tour by supporting organizational and awareness efforts and strengthening partnerships with government and private entities, ensuring that the event reflects the civilized image of Muscat and contributes to promoting sports tourism and showcasing Oman’s natural and heritage assets.