Experience XTERRA World Championship Week in Ruidoso
Mountain bikers traverse a scenic ridgeline trail above Ruidoso, New Mexico, where the 2026 XTERRA World Championship will take place October 8–11.
XTERRA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP • OCTOBER 8–11, 2026
Experience XTERRA Beyond Race Day in Ruidoso
Set high in the Sacramento Mountains of southern New Mexico, Ruidoso offers everything that makes XTERRA extraordinary: challenging terrain, high-altitude adventure, breathtaking mountain scenery, and a welcoming community surrounded by nature.
From October 8–11, 2026, Ruidoso welcomes the XTERRA World Championship , bringing athletes, families, fans, and outdoor enthusiasts from around the world together for a landmark week of off-road competition, mountain exploration, and community celebration.
Whether you’re competing, cheering from the sidelines, or simply joining the celebration, XTERRA World Championship week offers plenty of ways for the Ruidoso community and visitors to take part. Along with world-class racing, the week includes community hikes, yoga sessions, live entertainment, opening and closing celebrations, locally owned restaurants, galleries, and special experiences—including the XTERRA Ruidoso Shop Hop, where registered athletes can enjoy exclusive offers at participating Midtown businesses.
Come for the championship. Stay for the mountain adventure, local experiences, and authentic Southwestern hospitality that make Ruidoso worth exploring well beyond race day.
A WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SETTING
Built for Off-Road Adventure
Ruidoso’s elevation, forested terrain, and mountain landscape create a demanding and memorable setting for the XTERRA World Championship. The full-distance course moves from the open water of Grindstone Lake to technical singletrack and high-altitude trails, giving athletes three distinct ways to experience the Sacramento Mountains.
1.5K SWIM
Grindstone Lake
The championship begins with a two-loop open-water swim at nearly 7,000 feet above sea level. Surrounded by forested slopes and mountain views, Grindstone Lake offers a dramatic start to race day.
27K MOUNTAIN BIKE
Technical Mountain Terrain
Riders leave the shoreline for a challenging course of sustained climbing, technical singletrack, rocky sections, and fast descents across the Grindstone trail system.
10K TRAIL RUN
High-Altitude Forest Trails
The final leg winds through pine forest and varied mountain terrain, where elevation and changing trail conditions reward patience, strength, and careful pacing.
MORE WAYS TO TAKE PART
XTERRA World Championship week also includes youth and open sprint races, along with a public 5K trail run—creating opportunities for more athletes and community members to experience XTERRA in Ruidoso.
BEYOND THE FINISH LINE
Experience More Than the Course
Championship week is only part of the Ruidoso experience. Whether you're competing, supporting an athlete, or visiting for the first time, you'll discover a mountain village where outdoor adventure, local flavor, and small-town hospitality go hand in hand.
Between races, explore locally owned restaurants, mountain cafés, breweries, wineries, boutique shopping, public art, galleries, scenic drives, and miles of hiking and biking trails. Registered XTERRA athletes can also take part in the XTERRA Ruidoso Shop Hop, enjoying exclusive offers at participating Midtown businesses throughout championship week.
October brings cool mountain air, changing autumn colors, and one of the most beautiful seasons to experience the Sacramento Mountains. Many visitors arrive for XTERRA and discover a destination worth returning to long after race weekend has ended.
LOCAL FLAVOR
Eat Like an Athlete
Discover athlete-friendly dining ideas, local restaurants, cafés, and places to refuel throughout championship week.
Explore Eat Like an AthleteRACE-WEEK TRANSPORTATION
Know Before You Go
Review parking closures, Grindstone Lake access restrictions, public shuttle routes, schedules, and race-week transportation details before traveling between venues.
Parking & Shuttle InformationREGISTERED ATHLETE BENEFIT
XTERRA Ruidoso Shop Hop
Registered XTERRA World Championship athletes can enjoy exclusive discounts and special offers at participating Midtown businesses throughout race week.
View Participating Businesses & OffersEXPLORE RUIDOSO
Outdoor Adventure
Extend your stay with hiking, mountain biking, fishing, scenic drives, wildlife viewing, and year-round recreation throughout the Sacramento Mountains.
Explore Outdoor AdventuresMORE WAYS TO TAKE PART
XTERRA Community Activities & Events
XTERRA World Championship week is about more than race day. Community members are invited to join athletes and visitors for hikes, yoga sessions, live music, opening and closing celebrations, and other championship-week experiences throughout Ruidoso.
COMMUNITY ACTIVITY
Morning Yoga
Start your day with complimentary yoga at Blue Lotus Day Spa & Yoga, offered each morning during XTERRA World Championship week.
View Morning Yoga DetailsCOMMUNITY ACTIVITY
Moon Mountain Community Hike
Explore Moon Mountain Trail on a guided 5K hike through one of Ruidoso’s favorite mountain landscapes.
View Moon Mountain Hike DetailsCOMMUNITY ACTIVITY
Evening Yoga
Wind down after a day of racing or exploring with complimentary evening yoga at Downshift Riverside.
View Evening Yoga DetailsTHURSDAY • COMMUNITY WELCOME
Welcome Ceremony & Phil Hamilton Concert
Help welcome athletes from around the world as Ruidoso celebrates the opening of the 2026 XTERRA World Championship.
The World Championship Welcome Buffet is reserved for registered XTERRA athletes and guests with dinner tickets.
View Welcome Celebration DetailsCOMMUNITY ACTIVITY
Sunrise Community Hike
Experience sunrise over Grindstone Mesa on a guided 6K hike showcasing the beauty of Ruidoso’s mountain trails.
View Sunrise Hike DetailsSUNDAY • COMMUNITY WELCOME
Closing Ceremony & Awards Celebration
Join XTERRA athletes, families, and visitors as championship week concludes with awards, celebration, and the Closing Ceremony.
Tickets will be available for purchase at the XTERRA Expo. Anyone interested in attending is encouraged to stop by the Expo and purchase tickets in advance.
View Closing Celebration DetailsREGISTERED ATHLETE BENEFIT
XTERRA Ruidoso Shop Hop
Registered XTERRA World Championship athletes can present their official race credentials at participating Midtown Ruidoso businesses to receive exclusive discounts while shopping, dining, and exploring during championship week.
View XTERRA Shop Hop DetailsA PLACE WITH STORIES TO TELL
Discover the Heritage of Lincoln County
Long before athletes arrived to race these mountain trails, this landscape was shaped by Indigenous cultures, frontier communities, ranching traditions, and some of the most enduring stories of the American West.
Championship week is also an opportunity to explore the history and culture that continue to define Ruidoso and the surrounding region. Many historic sites are within an easy drive of Ruidoso, making them ideal half-day excursions before or after race events.
HISTORIC LINCOLN
Lincoln Historic Site
Walk the streets where the Lincoln County War unfolded, explore preserved nineteenth-century buildings, and discover the stories that made Billy the Kid part of American folklore.
Explore Lincoln Historic SiteFRONTIER HISTORY
Fort Stanton Historic Site
Established in 1855, Fort Stanton preserves a remarkable chapter of military, frontier, and public health history amid the mountains of southern New Mexico.
Explore Fort StantonRUIDOSO HISTORY
Wingfield Heritage House Museum
Learn how Ruidoso grew from a mountain settlement into one of New Mexico's favorite year-round destinations through exhibits celebrating local history and community life.
Visit Wingfield Heritage House MuseumCAPITAN, NEW MEXICO
Smokey Bear Historical Park
Just a short drive away in Capitan, discover the story of the famous bear whose wildfire prevention message became known around the world.
Explore Smokey Bear Historical ParkXTERRA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Make the Most of Championship Week
Planning to watch the races, join a community event, attend the opening or closing celebrations, or explore Ruidoso between events? The XTERRA Spectator Guide brings together race-week essentials including viewing locations, parking and shuttle information, community activities, dining, lodging, and practical tips for getting around.
Explore the Spectator Guide