From 2026, there will be no 18-19 slot awarded on Full Distance qualifying races, and no Youth (19U) athlete will be able to compete in the Full Distance World Championship race. For more about the rule changes and youth categories, please see here.
Rules
XTERRA World Championship Qualification
Please note: These criteria and rules apply to qualification for the 2026 XTERRA World Championship in Ruidoso, New Mexico, USA on October 10th, 2026.
HOW TO QUALIFY FOR XTERRA WORLDS
There are several ways to qualify to race at XTERRA Worlds:
1. Earn a qualifying slot at any XTERRA World Championship qualifying event on the World Tour schedule.
The winner of each age group at a qualifying event on the World Tour schedule will automatically earn a qualifying slot to the XTERRA World Championship. Additional qualifying slots are also awarded to top age group finishers at select Gold Level races in the schedule that offer more slots. See which events offer more slots in the schedule below. The distribution of slots per age group is shown after the schedule.
Qualifying events for 2026 World Championship
Feb 28 - Mar 1 Elgin Valley, Grabouw, Western Cape, South Africa 26 World Champinoship Slots | |
Apr 17-19 XTERRA Ilha Grande Ilha Grande, Brazil 56 World Champinoship Slots | |
Qualifying events for 2026 or 2027 World Championship
Aug 29-30 Dates not confirmed Bromont Olympic Equestrian Park / Lake Bromont beach, Canada 56 World Champinoship Slots |
Qualifying events for 2027 World Championship
Minimum Slots Men & Women
The number of slots indicated apply equally to male and female divisions.
Note
Division | Gold Events - 56 slots | Silver Events - 26 slots |
|---|---|---|
20-24 | 2 | 1 |
25-29 | 2 | 1 |
30-34 | 3 | 1 |
35-39 | 3 | 1 |
40-44 | 3 | 1 |
45-49 | 3 | 1 |
50-54 | 3 | 1 |
55-59 | 2 | 1 |
60-64 | 2 | 1 |
65-69 | 2 | 1 |
70-74 | 1 | 1 |
75-79 | 1 | 1 |
80+ | 1 | 1 |
Note: At all qualifying races, an extra slot will also be added to every category for every 10 racers lined up on the starting line for male categories that have 10 racers or more. An extra slot will also be added to every category for every 10 racers lined up on the starting line for female categories that have 10 racers or more.
For example, if there are 11 racers in any male division at a Silver event, the top TWO will earn qualifying spots. If there are 20 racers, the top THREE qualify. For Gold events, as an example, if there are 11 racers in the women’s 35-39 division, the top FOUR qualify. *DNS will not be counted toward age group totals.
2. Receive a ROLL-DOWN slot at any XTERRA World Championship qualifying event.
Initial qualifiers have two weeks to confirm and pay for their slot after their race. If they don’t validate their slot, it will roll down to the next person in their division ranking, who will also have two weeks to confirm and pay.
This process repeats down to the top 3 eligible athletes in each division at Silver races, and the top 5 in each division at Gold races.
3. The reigning XTERRA World Champions automatically qualify so they can defend their title.
The Champions from each XTERRA World Championship will be invited to defend their titles at the following World Championship.
4. Regional Tour Champions qualify for a place at the World Championship.
The regional tour winners of the previous year automatically qualify for the XTERRA World Championship.
5. Exemptions and special consideration:
Athletes may apply for one of the following exemptions (not guaranteed, awarded on a case-by-case basis):
Legacy Slots: XTERRA athletes who have raced more than 15 events over the last five seasons, or, raced in 15 or more past XTERRA World Championship races may apply for a legacy slot.
Geographic Exemption: If you live more than 500 miles away from a qualifying event.
Media/Influencers: Accredited journalists and influencers with a letter of assignment and/or verified reach, and proven athletic ability.
Discretionary: The XTERRA World Championship committee will consider unique appeals on a case-by-case basis.
To request a slot based on any of the exemptions or special considerations above, email [email protected] with a detailed explanation in English.
Notes
Athletes aged 18 and 19 must compete for the world title at XTERRA Youth World Championships (Sprint format). From 2026, youth athletes will not be permitted to participate in the Full Distance World Championship. More details about the Youth World Tour and Youth World Championships here.
If you’re an athlete who qualified at a 2025 event for 2026 Worlds, and have not yet received a registration link and code, email [email protected].
Athletes who qualify for events taking place between August 1st, 2026 and August 31st, 2026, can accept and pay for a slot into the 2026 OR 2027 XTERRA World Championship, but not both. Events taking place after August 31st award slots only to the 2027 XTERRA World Championship. Based on capacity, XTERRA may limit the registration of roll-down slots during this period to the 2027 event only.
PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED ATHLETES
Physically Challenged athletes must race one XTERRA World Championship Qualifying Series race to be eligible and then request an entry by emailing [email protected].
ELITE/PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES
Qualification
Elite athletes must race (start) at least one XTERRA World Championship Qualifying Series race in the current season* to be eligible and request an entry by emailing [email protected].
Exemptions
During Olympics year, Elites who participated in the Olympics are exempt from having to race one XTERRA World Championship Qualifying Series race during the current season.
Geographic and injury exemptions (see 5. below) will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Email requests to [email protected].
Complimentary and discounted entries
Elites who finished in the top 10 at the previous season's XTERRA World Championship receive complimentary entry into the World Championship. Racing (starting) one qualifying race from the current season* is still required.
Elites who finished in the top 10 at the previous season's XTERRA World Cup receive complimentary entry into the World Championship. Racing (starting) one qualifying race from the current season* is still required.
The top 10 men and women in the XTERRA World Cup standings after the World Cup stop immediately prior to that season’s World Championship receive complimentary entry into the World Championship.
Elites who win an XTERRA World Championship Qualifying Series race offering at least $7,500 in prize money earn 50% off entry into the XTERRA World Championship of that season.
Learn more about XTERRA elite racing eligibility on our elite racing information page.
* the current season of the XTERRA World Championship starts right after the previous World Championship and ends when registration for the World Championship closes.
RECOMMENDATIONS
We recommend athletes do not book travel until registration is confirmed.