Men and Women in Parallel: 10 Stages, 5 Days, 2 Races, 1 Experience
From 2026 the Tour de Suisse will be presented in a new dynamic format: over five days, two stages will be raced daily – one each for men and women – starting and finishing in the same place. For the public this means a new experience in a different region every day from 17th to 21st June 2026. Unique to the UCI World Tour, the concept is based on three values: innovation, interaction and Swissness.
A Cycling Festival in a New Structure
The new structure makes the Tour de Suisse even more of a cycling festival: two top-class races per day, with start and finish in the same location. This allows for significantly more interaction for everyone involved and enhanced fan experience on site. More circuit stages are a key element. In addition, there will be a much more compact organization, strong media presence, and maximum added value.
Overall, the Tour de Suisse is creating a new foundation for its ecosystem of riders, sponsors, host regions, media, and fans:
- Two races per day – double the excitement for fans, media, and partners.
- Start and finish at the same location with more circuits – greater proximity and interaction.
- Efficiency with maximum reach – for TV, digital channels, and sponsors
- Local identity – for activation, storytelling, and experience
Rethinking the Ecosystem
This step is necessary to ensure the Tour de Suisse is financially sustainable and future-proof. Analysis of recent years, and especially the 2025 edition, revealed two key insights:
- The Women’s Tour de Suisse has established itself as an equal event.
- The audience and regional partners turn every stage location into a cycling festival.
Based on this, the Tour organization – led by Gabriela Buchs, CEO of Cycling Unlimited since November 2024, and Tour Director Olivier Senn – has redefined the Tour de Suisse ecosystem. Olivier Senn: “Without a new concept, the future of the Tour de Suisse as a cultural asset and brand would be at risk in the medium term. We are deliberately focusing on a model that places even greater emphasis on women’s cycling. The successful double stage in Küssnacht 2025 showed that this approach works and has enormous potential. The strong interest from TV viewers, roadside fans, and digital communities confirm: cycling is booming – and the Tour de Suisse enjoys a deep bond with the Swiss public. The fact that our new concept has already been approved by the UCI underlines the significance of this step.”
Equality for Women and Men
The Tour de Suisse will thus become the first stage race at the highest level (UCI World Tour) to hold men’s and women’s races in parallel. Hans-Peter Zurbrügg, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Cycling Unlimited: “The new format is the innovative implementation of the strategic direction defined by the Board: equality between women and men in cycling combined with financial robustness. We are also enhancing the experience and visibility for all involved. In short: the new Tour de Suisse stands for modern cycling with measurable added value for all stakeholders.”
In addition to embedding each stage in a host region and ensuring economic sustainability, the new concept also opens fresh sporting perspectives. David Loosli, Sporting Director of the Tour de Suisse: “Within just a few years, the major brand teams have developed their women’s structures to a similar level as those of the men. Our new concept offers all UCI World Tour Teams and their top riders the chance to experience an attractive, new race format. At the same time, we want to give talented Swiss riders a national tour that impresses with modernity, sporting relevance, and organizational quality.”
Sponsorship and Partner Value
For sponsorship, interaction with guests and the public is a key factor alongside visibility and reach. The new format creates a range of opportunities for both the event’s main partners and the regional partners of each stage. Cédric Christmann, CEO of the Primeo Energie Group, a long-standing main partner of the Tour de Suisse: “We appreciate the organizers’ ambition to continuously develop the event and make it more attractive. The new concept combines equality, innovation, and efficiency – a combination that also aligns perfectly with Primeo Energie. As a main partner, we are proud to join forces with the Tour de Suisse and open a new chapter in the history of this national tour.”
The Tour de Suisse thus becomes the first World Tour stage race with a parallel program for men and women. An important framework condition for this development has been created by the UCI: starting next season, the same points system will apply for both men and women.
Innovation and Swissness in the DNA
Alongside equality, innovation and Swissness are the two core values of the Tour organization. A proven example of innovation was the safety concept with active tracking of the entire Tour convoy, successfully tested during the 2025 edition. The new format also provides tourism regions and cities with a platform for regional identity and profiling.
The redesign of the Tour de Suisse is also highly relevant for the Swiss broadcasting corporation SRG SSR as a long-standing host broadcaster. Roland Mägerle, Head of SRF Sport and Business Unit Sport SRG SSR: “From a broadcaster’s perspective, this innovation enables more efficient planning and implementation of a demanding and complex production. From the audience’s point of view, the adjusted format opens up new opportunities – especially considering the growing interest in women’s cycling. Two races per day make the Tour de Suisse an even more varied experience for the TV audience as well.”
With the new concept, the Tour de Suisse is sending a strong signal as a pioneer in international professional cycling: it combines equality, economic viability, and emotion. Gabriela Buchs: “We are aware that our relaunch will spark discussions. But we are convinced: this is the only way to create a format that benefits everyone. We are laying the foundation for the sustainable future of the event for riders, host regions, the public, media, and sponsors.”
The new format Tour de Suisse will take place for the first time from Wednesday17th June to Sunday 21st June 2026. The first host regions will be announced in autumn 2025, with the detailed race route to follow in March 2026 as usual.
The new Tour de Suisse. Made for today developed for tomorrow.
