On August 3rd, 2023, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the international governing body of cycling, announced the 2028 UCI BMX Racing World Championships will be coming to Rockstar Energy Bike Park in North Houston, Texas. This event will gather the world's top BMX riders, showcasing their incredible skills and competing for the ultimate title.
"We are thrilled to be bringing the 2028 UCI BMX Racing World Championships to the region," said Janis Burke, Chief Executive Officer of the Harris County - Houston Sports Authority. "With a world-class facility and a passion for BMX within the local community, Houston is the perfect stage for this extraordinary event. We look forward to creating an unforgettable experience for participants and spectators alike."
In recent years BMX, a rapidly growing sport, has gained immense local and worldwide popularity. The Harris County – Houston Sports Authority is excited to host the 2028 UCI BMX Racing World Championship to showcase the sport's elite athletes, inspire a new generation of riders, and foster the growth of BMX within the community.
"We are excited to welcome riders from all over the world to our wonderful complex," said Sally Bradford, Executive Director of the N. Houston Development Corp. "With one of the world's largest and most unique bike parks, we will provide an ideal setting for riders to push their limits and showcase their abilities."
Rockstar Energy Bike Park is part of an extreme sports complex funded and developed by the N. Houston Development Corp. The bike park was built in Houston in 2019, adjacent to the North Houston Skate Park. This state-of-the-art facility is designed to cater to BMX enthusiasts of all skill levels. The bike park is over 870,000 square feet, making it one of the world's largest, consisting of a BMX track, dirt jumps, concrete bowls, and much more. Rockstar Energy BMX Track is the top BMX track in Texas and is ranked seventh nationally by USA BMX.
“USA Cycling is honored to bring another World Championship to the United States, especially to a facility like the Rockstar Energy Bike Park. As an organization, we have been fully focused on our home Olympic Games in Los Angeles. This will be the perfect preparation and Olympic qualifying opportunity for our team in 2028,” said USA Cycling President and CEO Brendan Quirk.
"2028 is shaping up to be the most significant year in history for the sport of BMX here in the United States, with the 2028 Olympic Games and now the 2028 UCI BMX Racing World Championships being held right here in the United States," said BA Anderson, CEO of USA BMX. "We are thrilled to join our friends at the Harris County - Houston Sports Authority in welcoming BMX fans around the world to this vibrant city and specifically to the Rockstar Energy Bike Park, one of the largest tracks in the country and the ideal setting for such an esteemed event. The honor of hosting this event here would not be possible without the tireless efforts and investments from the Harris County – Houston Sports Authority into the sport of BMX for the last decade."
The UCI BMX World Championships are held annually to crown a BMX World Cycling Champion. The event is expected to bring 3,000 amateur participants and 300 professional athletes from over 40 countries. Participants and their families are estimated to stay an average of 10 days in Houston.
About Harris County - Houston Sports Authority
Harris County - Houston Sports Authority (HCHSA) maintains the facilities and services the debt of the world-class, professional sports venues it was created to build. To support this primary mission, HCHSA is a leading proponent in attracting sporting events to Houston and promoting the city as a home for sports-related activities. This ultimately results in enhancing Houston's economic development, improving the quality of life for its residents, and maintaining the city and county as a premier destination for marquee events.
HCHSA also operates annual programs to honor and recognize excellence in athletics, support the local community through programming and donations, and showcase the spirit and culture of the city. These events include the Houston Sports Awards, Houston Sports Hall of Fame, Brothers In Arms Celebrity Golf Tournament, Abilities In Motion, and the National Battle of the Bands. HoustonSports.org
About USA BMX
Established as the American Bicycle Association in 1977 and headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, ABA is the nation’s largest cycling organization with more than 70,000 members with combined racing and freestyle events at more than 300 sanctioned BMX tracks across the United States and Canada. ABA empowers and elevates the early stages of bicycle development by creating opportunities through facility development, programs, and national events. As a result, ABA has developed a structured blueprint. A cyclist can progress from humble beginnings on a balance bike to becoming a BMX Olympian by establishing these roots.
Through STEAM, scholarships, freestyle amateur events, the national series, the Olympics and new facilities built across the United States, these four pillars under the USA BMX organization will impact young riders and families: USA BMX Foundation, USA BMX Freestyle, USA BMX Racing and ABA Ethos.
