XTERRA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP • OCTOBER 8–11, 2026
Plan your championship week in Ruidoso.
Find practical race-week information, discover restaurants and local experiences, explore mountain adventures, and make the most of your time in Ruidoso beyond the course.
Beyond Race Day
Whether you're cheering on a competitor, traveling with family, or joining the excitement throughout championship week, this guide is designed to help you make the most of your time in Ruidoso. Alongside practical race-week information, you'll find ideas for dining, local experiences, outdoor adventures, community activities, and ways to explore beyond the competition.
The XTERRA World Championship brings competitors and spectators from around the world to Ruidoso, where world-class racing meets the relaxed pace and welcoming character of a mountain village. Between events, discover locally owned restaurants and breweries, scenic trails, live entertainment, outdoor recreation, and memorable experiences that make championship week about far more than the race itself.
Championship Week
Championship week brings racing, community activities, athlete events, and celebrations to locations throughout Ruidoso. Here are the major spectator-friendly moments to know as you plan your stay.
Championship week officially comes together at Wingfield Park with the XTERRA Welcome Ceremony and live music. The Welcome Ceremony and Phil Hamilton Band concert are free and open to the public, with no ticket or purchase required. The Welcome Buffet is exclusive to athletes and guests with dinner tickets.
Watch the open-to-the-public 5K Trail Run, visit the XTERRA Expo, and enjoy community hikes, yoga, course sessions, and activities around town.
The main championship race begins at Grindstone Lake, followed later in the day by the Full Distance Awards Ceremony and XTERRA After Party.
Championship weekend concludes with Youth World Championship and Open Sprint racing at Grindstone Lake, followed by the Youth Awards and Closing Ceremony. The Closing Ceremony is open to the community; a dinner ticket is required. Tickets will be available for purchase at the XTERRA Expo, and advance purchase is encouraged.
Race Day
Watching the XTERRA World Championship is about much more than cheering from the sidelines. Throughout the weekend you'll find exciting spectator viewing opportunities, athlete celebrations, community events, and plenty of places to relax between races.
The XTERRA courses around Grindstone Lake and nearby venues offer multiple opportunities to see athletes throughout each race. Official spectator viewing areas and course maps will be published by XTERRA closer to race weekend.
Wear comfortable walking shoes, dress in layers for cool mountain mornings and warmer afternoons, stay hydrated at Ruidoso's 6,900-foot elevation, and bring a camera—you'll experience some of the most scenic racing in the sport.
Parking closures and shuttle service will be in effect during XTERRA World Championship week, including access changes at Grindstone Lake and shuttle connections between Wingfield Park, the Ruidoso Convention Center, designated hotels, and Athlete Parking.
Course maps, athlete guides, spectator viewing locations, and race schedules are managed by XTERRA and will continue to be updated as championship weekend approaches. For current local parking closures and shuttle details, see XTERRA Parking, Shuttles & Transportation .
Beyond the Course
The XTERRA World Championship may bring you to Ruidoso, but the mountain village experience is what visitors remember long after race weekend. Between events, discover welcoming local businesses, scenic landscapes, outdoor adventures, and memorable moments that showcase why so many visitors choose to extend their stay.
Start your day with fresh mountain air, beautiful views, and the slower pace of mountain life. Whether you're enjoying coffee on a cabin deck, lingering over breakfast at a locally owned café or restaurant, or taking a quiet morning stroll, Ruidoso offers an easy way to settle into the day before championship activities get underway.
Find Places to Eat & Drink →Step beyond the championship venues and discover why Ruidoso is known as Nature's Playground. Hike forest trails, explore the peaceful beauty of Grindstone Lake, take a scenic drive through Lincoln National Forest, go horseback riding, cast a line in a mountain lake, or simply pause to enjoy the fresh air and wide-open mountain views. Whether you're seeking adventure or quiet moments in nature, outdoor experiences are always close at hand.
Explore Outdoor Adventures →As the day's excitement winds down, discover another side of Ruidoso. Share dinner at a locally owned restaurant, sample craft beer or New Mexico wine, enjoy live music, or join community activities taking place throughout the village. It's an easy way to celebrate the day's adventures and experience the welcoming spirit of this mountain community.
Explore Community Activities →Plan Ahead
A little planning goes a long way during championship week. Keep these practical tips in mind as you travel to Ruidoso, move between race venues, and make time for activities around the village.
Whether you're driving or flying, plan your arrival before championship weekend. Learn more about regional airports, driving routes, and travel options on the Getting Here & Regional Airports page.
Parking availability and access will vary during championship week, particularly around Wingfield Park and Grindstone Lake. Public shuttle service will connect key event locations, designated hotels, and spectator parking areas during scheduled periods. Review current XTERRA parking closures, shuttle routes, and schedules before heading out.
Ruidoso sits high in the Sacramento Mountains at nearly 7,000 feet in elevation. Give yourself time to adjust, stay hydrated, and remember that mountain conditions can feel different from what you're used to at lower elevations.
Race schedules, course information, athlete guidance, and official spectator viewing information are managed by XTERRA. Check the official XTERRA Ruidoso event page for the latest championship updates before heading to a race venue.
October in the mountains can bring cool mornings, warmer afternoons, and changing conditions throughout the day. Dress in layers and check the forecast before heading out.
Help protect the landscapes that make Ruidoso special. Stay on designated trails, dispose of waste properly, respect posted rules, and never feed wildlife while exploring the area.
Keep your plans flexible. Championship week brings activity throughout Ruidoso, so allow extra time when traveling between race venues, dining, community events, and outdoor experiences.
Plan Your Championship Week
Whether you're visiting for race day or planning an extended mountain getaway, these resources will help you find official XTERRA information, navigate championship week, explore local experiences, and make the most of your time in Ruidoso.
