The Mountain Bike World Championships begin this week in Val di Sole, Italy, taking place from August 26 to August 30, 2026.Twenty-one events take place across five days with five disciplines featured from Cross-Country Olympic (XCO), Cross-Country Relay (XCR), Cross-Country Short Track (XCC), E-Mountain Bike (E-MTB) and Downhill (DHI).Mountain Bike World Championships 2026: Need to KnowFree Streams: UCI YouTube (select countries) / VRT, RTBF (Belgium) / RaiPlay (Italy) / L'Equipe (France)Watch Anywhere: Unlock your free stream with NordVPN (75% off)The biggest attraction is undoubtedly the arrival of cross-format stars such as Tom Pidcock and Mathieu van der Poel. Van der Poel will be particularly keen to win the XCO, with the MTB rainbow jersey still absent from his palmars. Alan Hatherly, Charlie Aldridge and Adrien Boichis will also be among the main contenders, making for a seriously strong men's field. The downhill will also be a huge feature thanks to Val di Sole's infamous Black Snake. Vali Hll goes after a fifth consecutive elite women's world title, but she faces the likes of Gracey Hemstreet, as well as Myriam Nicole, who beat Hll to the world title on this track in 2021. Lisa Baumann, Sacha Earnest and Marine Cabirou will also be worth watching. The men's downhill promises just as much as well, with defending champion Jackson Goldstone looking to retain his title on a course where he has an outstanding record. Jordan Williams, Finn Iles, Amaury Pierron and Loc Bruni will all have something to say about that, though, making it another race that could go right down to the final run.Below, Cycling Weekly has put together all the key information on broadcasters and live streams so you can watch the Mountain Bike World Championships 2026 wherever you are. Quick guide to watching the Mountain Bike World Championships 2026UK: TNT Sports /HBO Max (30.99/mon)US: FloBikes ($39.99/mon)Canada: FloBikes ($49.99/mon)Australia: Stan Sport ($29.99/mon)Free Stream: UCI YouTube (select countries) / VRT, RTBF (Belgium) / RaiPlay (Italy) / L'Equipe (France)Anywhere: Watch your local stream from anywhere with NordVPNCan I watch the Mountain Bike World Championships 2026 for free?The Mountain Bike World Championships are free to watch this week in select countries without a broadcaster on the UCI YouTube Channel. This includes territories such as New Zealand.As well as this you will find free streams in European countries on VRT and RTBF in Belgium, RaiPlay in Italy and L'Equipe in France.Coverage is geo-restricted, so if you're not in any of these countries right now then you'll need a VPN more on that below.How to watch Mountain Bike World Championships 2026 while abroadMost streaming platforms have geo-restrictions these days, which means they only work in certain countries. But being locked out of the races is a thing of the past thanks to a VPN.A Virtual Private Network is a piece of internet security software that can alter your device's location, so you can unblock your usual streaming services, even when you're abroad. Unlock your MTB World Championships stream with NordVPNWith super fast connections, multi-device support and able to unlock any platform, NordVPN is our favourite for streaming. 30-day money back guarantee 3 months extra free 75% offGet NordVPN today and unlock your streaming service from anywhere in the world.View DealWant to know more? We have an explainer on the benefits, costs, and considerations of using a VPN... Should I use a VPN to watch cycling?How to watch Mountain Bike World Championships in the UKIn the UK, the Mountain Bike World Championships will be shown on TNT Sports which is available to live stream via HBO Max. Check the schedule here.The will also be available online and on mobile devices on HBO Max with a package price of 25.99 a month for a year's term.How to watch Mountain Bike World Championships in the US and CanadaFor North American viewers, you will need FloBikes to stream the Mountain Bike World Championships.In the US, FloBikes costs $39.99 a month. In Canada, a FloBikes subscription cost CA$49.99 a month, with big savings for long-term plans. How to watch Mountain Bike World Championships in AustraliaIn Australia, Stan Sport will be showing the Mountain Bike World Championships.Prices for Stan start at A$9.99/month with the Sport add-on a further A$20/month. Read More: How to watch cycling for free in 2026Mountain Bike World Championships 2026 - ScheduleWednesday, 26 August9am Womens Elite E-MTB Cross-Country10.30am Mens Elite E-MTB Cross-Country4pm Mixed Team RelayThursday, August 278.30am Womens Junior Cross-Country Olympic10am Mens Junior Cross-Country Olympic2.30pm Womens U23 Cross-Country Short Track3.30pm Mens U23 Cross-Country Short Track4.45pm Womens Elite Cross-Country Short Track5.30pm Mens Elite Cross-Country Short TrackFriday, August 289:30am Womens Junior Downhill qualificationFollowed by Mens Junior Downhill qualification2.30pm Womens Elite Downhill qualificationFollowed by Mens Elite Downhill qualificationSaturday, August 298.15am Womens Junior Downhill9am Mens Junior Downhill12.20pm Womens Elite Downhill2pm Mens Elite DownhillSunday, August 308am Womens U23 Cross-Country Olympic10am Mens U23 Cross-Country Olympic12pm Womens Elite Cross-Country Olympic2.15pm Mens Elite Cross-Country OlympicWe test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.