The Final List of the 40 'World Series' Teams for 2026 (and who secured the 2-year license)

The speculation is over. The organizers of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series have officially released the list of 40 teams (20 Endurance and 20 Gravity) that have secured World Series Team status for the 2026 season.

This status is not just a title: it guarantees participation in every round of the calendar and grants logistical and visibility privileges in the paddock. However, the major news this year lies in the duration of these licenses.

New for 2026: The 2-Year License

In a move to provide greater stability to the structures, the top 10 teams in the UCI ranking (in both Endurance and Gravity) have secured their spot not only for 2026 but also for 2027. This marks a milestone in the professionalization of MTB, allowing teams to plan for the medium term without the immediate pressure of points chasing.

Key Rule Change: Points Stay with the Team

A crucial detail for mtbdata analysts to note: the selection criteria have been refined. Unlike in 2025, rider points no longer "travel" with them if they change teams during the off-season.

A team's status for 2026 has been calculated strictly based on the structure's performance in 2025, regardless of whether their star riders have moved to a different squad.

Endurance (XCO / XCC)

These are the 20 teams that will form the fixed Cross-Country grid. They are divided into three tiers based on their ranking and license type.

2-Year License (Top 10)

Locked in until the end of the 2027 season.

1. Specialized Factory Racing

2. Decathlon Ford Racing Team

3. Canyon XC Racing

4. Cannondale Factory Racing

5. Thömus Maxon

6. Wilier-Vittoria Factory Team

7. Orbea Fox Factory Team

8. Cube Factory Racing

9. Scott-SRAM MTB Racing Team

10. BIXS Race Team

1-Year License (Rankings 11-15)

1. Trek - Unbroken XC

2. Origine Racing Division

3. KMC Nukeproof MTB Racing Team

4. Giant Factory Off-Road Team - XC

5. Lapierre PXR Racing

Full Season Wildcards

Selected based on organizer criteria.

1. BH Coloma Team

2. Liv Factory Racing

3. Mondraker Factory Racing XC

4. BMC Factory Racing

5. Alpecin-Premier Tech

Gravity (DHI / Enduro)

In the gravity disciplines, the list combines Downhill giants with powerful Enduro structures under the "Gravity" umbrella.

2-Year License (Top 10)

The world's most powerful structures, secured until 2027.

1. Canyon DH Racing

2. Santa Cruz Syndicate

3. Commencal/Muc-Off by Riding Addiction

4. Orbea FMD Racing

5. Mondraker Factory Racing DH

6. Yeti / Fox Factory Race Team

7. Cube Factory Racing

8. Specialized Gravity

9. Trek - Unbroken DH

10. Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres

1-Year License (Rankings 11-15)

1. Norco X adidas Race Division

2. MS-Racing

3. Nukeproof Axess Racing

4. Unno Factory Racing DH

5. Giant Factory Off-Road Team – DH

Full Season Wildcards

1. Santa Cruz Burgtec by Goodman

2. Scott Downhill Factory

3. Frameworks Racing / TRP

4. AON Racing

5. Continental Atherton

What about the other teams?

For those not on this list of 40 chosen ones, the door is not closed. At each World Cup round, up to 8 additional Wildcard spots per format will be available, awarded based on UCI rankings and performance in Continental Series.

Additionally, individual riders (National or Continental Champions, or those with high UCI rankings) can still enter if they meet the established sporting criteria.

The season officially kicks off on May 1, 2026, with a historic event: the World Cup returns to Asia with the race in South Korea.