On October 26, 2024, the world’s best cycling esports athletes converged in Abu Dhabi, UAE, for a groundbreaking UCI Cycling Esports World Championship final held at the grand ADNEC Marina Hall. With a live audience and broadcast coverage, it was a momentous occasion—a first-of-its-kind event that took virtual cycling out of basements, living rooms and training studios and catapulted it onto the global stage.
For years now, esports has had an identity crisis with no personality behind the avatars, but that was solved here. Hundreds came out to the waterfront venue to witness the spectacle complete with lights, pyrotechnics and confetti falling from the ceiling. Spectators lept to their feet, cheering and shouting encouragements to the 42 competitors, eager to participate in the thrill of racing up close.
