-With events in Virginia, Arkansas, and Utah
Expansion to a nationwide event calendar offers opportunity for partners, brands to connect with the future of cycling
The National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) announced its 2026 Regional Event calendar last week, with a groundbreaking expansion to three regional gatherings for the first time in the organization's history. The events invite NICA's nationwide network of over 26,000 youth athletes, their families, and 16,000 coaches to gather for a weekend of competition, community building, and activities supporting youth cycling.
NICA is the largest youth mountain biking network in the world. NICA's Regional events (which debuted on the east coast in 2023 and have been growing each year) bring together broad segments of the youth MTB community and create a unique platform for brands and organizations in the cycling and outdoor recreation industries to engage with the next generation of riders, their families, and coaches.
"Regionals provide a racing experience and so much more," said President Amanda Carey. "They are celebrations of youth cycling, outdoor adventure, and community." In addition to a competition structure that invites high school-aged NICA athletes to race, the events also include all-ages activities promoting trail stewardship and advocacy, adventure riding, and bringing more girls and women into the sport through the NICA GRiT initiative.
"We're thrilled to host regionals across our entire U.S. network of 33 leagues this year," added Carey. 2026 will mark the first-ever Western Regional event, joining NICA's Central and Eastern events. "Every kid in NICA has an opportunity to join us at Regionals."
Each event also features a partner expo throughout the weekend where brands can connect with NICA's broad, engaged community. "We are always excited to welcome mission- and values-aligned partners to join us at Regionals," said Kate Punderson, NICA VP of Development. "Our event partners get to showcase their dedication to the next generation of cyclists, and for brands, it's such a great opportunity to connect face-to-face with a community who truly loves to ride," Punderson noted.
"There's such a benefit for our entire community to connect with the brands that support NICA and our goals of fostering confidence, leadership, and a lifelong love of riding," added Carey.
The three 2026 events will take place in the fall across the Eastern, Central, and Western United States. Brands are invited to learn more and request a full event partnership package.
2026 EVENT SCHEDULE:
NICA Eastern Regionals: Charlottesville, VA – October 24-25, 2026
NICA Central Regionals: Fayetteville, AR – November 7-8, 2026
NICA Western Regionals: St. George, UT – November 14-15, 2026
ABOUT NICA
The National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) is setting a new standard for youth sports through its development-first approach, supporting programming and people to provide kids with the necessary experiences to become healthy, thriving lifelong athletes.
Founded in Berkeley, California, USA in 2009, NICA has since expanded across the United States and now, internationally. NICA fulfills its youth-development mission by supporting a network of 33 U.S. leagues, with nearly 26,000 young riders and 16,000 adult coaches.
NICA views cycling as more than just a sport. It is a powerful tool for young people to build strength, resilience, and character within a welcoming community. Through local teams, dedicated coaches, and professionally organized events, NICA empowers youth to grow both on and off the bike: supporting mental health, building confidence and leadership, and fostering lasting friendships.
NICA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that exists by virtue of generous foundations, donors, and partners, who help fuel its mission to build strong minds, bodies, character, and community through mountain biking.
