Vuelta a España 2026: everything you need to know

When is the 2026 Vuelta a España?

The 81st edition of the Vuelta a España runs from Saturday 22 August to Sunday 13 September 2026. A three-week race with 21 stages and two rest days, covering roughly 3,275 kilometres and over 58,000 metres of climbing — the toughest of the three Grand Tours in terms of vertical gain.

Grand Départ in Monaco

For the first time the Vuelta starts in Monaco, making it the first country to have hosted the start of all three Grand Tours. After a time trial through the principality and a long stage through Provence, the peloton only reaches Spanish soil on day five, via Andorra.

The key stages

Stage 6 brings the biggest novelty: for the first time ever the Vuelta crosses a sterrato gravel sector, just before the uphill finish near Castellón. Further on come the classic Vuelta tests of Calar Alto and the Sierra de la Pandera, before the Jerez time trial in the third week can scramble the GC all over again.

The stage 20 queen stage through the Sierra Nevada, with over 5,000 metres of climbing and a final ascent averaging nearly 10 percent, is almost certainly where overall victory will be decided — a day before the unusual final stage past the Alhambra in Granada.

Who will win the 2026 Vuelta a España?

Four-time winner Primož Roglič is the top favourite for a record fifth title, but faces a strong field: Tadej Pogačar makes his long-awaited Vuelta debut, João Almeida is in form, and Remco Evenepoel is banking on his time-trialling power. Home favourite Enric Mas hopes to finally take that last step to overall victory.