Everything you need to know about the 2026 Philadelphia Cycling Classic
· Yahoo Sports
After a 10-year hiatus, the Philadelphia Cycling Classic, presented by AmeriGas, makes its grand return to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on Sunday, August 30.
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Dating back to 1985, the Philadelphia Cycling Classic is considered one of America's most prestigious international cycling events, bringing hundreds of thousands of spectators together from around the world and right here at home.
Both the men's and women's races will take riders on a 14.4-mile loop through some of Philadelphia's favorite neighborhoods including a climb atop the famed Manayunk Wall.
You can watch full coverage of the entire race on 6abc.com, the 6abc mobile app, the 6abc streaming TV app, Disney+ and everywhere you stream 6abc.
6abc will also have coverage during the day on Action News, including post-race coverage at 5:30 p.m.
Philadelphia Cycling Classic Race Weekend Details
Philadelphia Cycling Classic Amateur Time Trial
Saturday, August 29, 2026 | 9 a.m.
The individual time trial is sanctioned by USA Cycling and is part of the New Jersey Time Trial Cup Series. This 8-mile out and back course follows Martin Luther King Jr. Drive with a turnaround at the Falls Bridge.
The Philadelphia Cycling Classic Charity Ride for AACR
Sunday, August 30, 2026 | 6:30 a.m.
The American Association for Cancer Research(AACR) is the Official Charity Partner for the 2026 Philadelphia Cycling Classic Charity Ride for AACR.
The Philadelphia Cycling Classic Charity Ride for AACR gives cycling fans the chance to ride a loop of the iconic Philadelphia Cycling Classic course while raising funds for lifesaving cancer research through the AACR.
You can register for the AACR Charity Ride online.
Fan Festival
Saturday, August 29 | 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday, August 30 | 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Iroquois Sculpture area
The Philadelphia Cycling Classic Fan Fest is a two-day celebration of cycling and community, featuring more than 150 vendors. The Fan Fest is free to attend, and the first 2,000 guests will receive a complimentary Musette bag.
Enjoy live music from local DJs and athlete interviews throughout the weekend. Guests can participate in games for all ages, navigate mini-bike courses, and experience bike demos. Grab food and beverages in the beer garden and café while catching the race, and shop featured brands and cycling apparel throughout the Fan Fest.
Click here for a larger version of the map.
The Races
The Women's UCI 1.1 race begins at 8:30 a.m. with the award ceremony taking place at 1 p.m.
The Men's UCI 1.1 race begins at 12 p.m. with the award ceremony taking place at 5:30 p.m.
The race begins on the French-inspired Benjamin Franklin Parkway, follows the curves of the Schuylkill River, and passes through Fairmount Park, the nation's largest urban park system.
The course then enters the historic neighborhood of Manayunk. Cyclists travel through Main Street before turning onto the most iconic, and by far the most challenging, part of the course: the Manayunk Wall.
This 17 percent-grade climb tests cyclists' strength, endurance, and grit.
Leaving Manayunk behind, riders briefly enter Roxborough before the journey takes them back down to Kelly Drive. After a short traverse through Strawberry Mansion, the peloton tackles Lemon Hill, directly across from Boathouse Row, an iconic city landmark.
Finally, the 14.4-mile loop brings competitors back to the Start/Finish on the Parkway before they head out once again!
Spectators line the streets at every point along the circuit to cheer on these world-class professional cyclists.
Spectator Information
Spectators can watch the Philadelphia Cycling Classic from locations throughout the circuit, while viewers at home can catch the action live on 6abc, with both broadcast and streaming options available.
The Start/Finish on Benjamin Franklin Parkway
This iconic stretch, running from Logan Circle to Eakins Oval in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, offers a prime vantage point to watch the peloton start and see the final sprint for the win as riders complete the final lap.
"The Wall" (Lyceum Avenue Hill)
Arguably the most famous and challenging section of the course, this relentless climb takes riders up Levering Street and Lyceum Avenue in Manayunk/Roxborough.
Spectators flock here for the electric atmosphere, cheering cyclists as they battle their way up this notorious ascent.
Main Street, Manayunk
Just before "The Wall," Main Street is known for its block-party atmosphere, with numerous restaurants and shops lining the route.
It's also a key strategic point where racers jostle for position at high speed before taking on the Manayunk Wall.
Lemon Hill
Located in Fairmount Park, this short, punchy climb tests riders' speed and stamina as they make their way back toward the finish.
The hillside is a popular spot for fans to picnic and enjoy the race, offering a great vantage point to watch the riders tackle a major climb late in the circuit.
For general information on the 2026 Philadelphia Cycling Classic, visit www.philadelphiacyclingclassic.com.
Stay connected to important information from the City, like weather and event-related details. Text "READYPHILA" to 888-777 to receive free alerts from the Office of Emergency Management.
Road closures
Thursday, August 27
The inner lanes of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway from 20th Street to Binswanger Triangle will close beginning Thursday, August 27 at 9 a.m. These closures will remain in effect through Sunday, August 30 at 10 p.m.
Please note: The outer lanes of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway will reopen on Friday, August 28 at 6 a.m. and will remain open until the full Parkway closure begins. The inbound lane between Eakins Oval and 22nd Street will remain closed.
Saturday, August 29
Martin Luther King Jr. Drive will be closed from Eakins Oval to Falls Bridge on Saturday, August 29, beginning at 8 a.m. for the 8-mile Philadelphia Cycling Classic Amateur Time Trial.
Martin Luther King Jr. Drive will continue with its weekend closure schedule and remain closed to vehicle traffic until Monday, August 31.
Sedgley Drive between Girard Avenue and Poplar Drive will be closed on Saturday. August 29, beginning at 12 p.m. and will remain closed until the conclusion of the event.
Sunday, August 30
All closures listed below are in effect from approximately 3 a.m. on Sunday, August 30, to 10 p.m. on Sunday, August 30, unless otherwise noted:
Parkway area closures
Benjamin Franklin Parkway from 17th Street to Eakins Oval (all lanes)
Eakins Oval (all lanes)
I-676 Off-Ramp at 22nd Street
I-676 On-Ramp at 22nd Street
I-76 eastbound Off-Ramp at Spring Garden Street
Spring Garden Tunnel
Rear of Art Museum - Anne d'Harnoncourt Drive (access maintained for PMA staff)
1900 Race Street
1800-1900 Vine Street
Park Towne Place between 22nd Street and 24th Street
2000-2100 Winter Street
Spring Garden Street between Pennsylvania Avenue and 31st Street
All roads from Arch Street to Spring Garden Street, 18th Street to 22nd Street (local access maintained for residents)
All roads from Arch Street to Fairmount Avenue, 22nd Street to Corinthian Street (local access maintained for residents)
23rd Street between Pennsylvania Avenue and Eakins Oval
22nd Street between Winter Street and Pennsylvania Avenue
21st Street between Winter Street and Pennsylvania Avenue
20th Street between Arch Street and Pennsylvania Avenue
19th Street between Callowhill Street and Cherry Street
16th,17th, and 18th Streets, between Arch Street and Spring Garden Street will be closed only if conditions warrant in the interest of public safety
1600-1700 Benjamin Franklin Parkway will be closed only if conditions warrant in the interest of public safety
Fairmount Park closures
Kelly Drive (all lanes)
Waterworks Drive
Reservoir Drive
Lemon Hill
Sedgley Drive between Girard Avenue and Kelly Drive
Poplar Drive between Girard Avenue and Kelly Drive
MLK Drive from Sweetbriar Drive to Eakins Oval
Manayunk and Roxborough area closures
Ridge Avenue between Kelly Drive and Hermit Street
Main Street between Ridge Avenue and Green Lane
Levering Street between Main Street and Tower Street
Cresson Street between Levering Street and Cotton Street
Lyceum Avenue between Tower Street and Mitchell Street
Pechin Street between Green Lane and Roxborough Avenue
Roxborough Avenue between Mitchell Street and Terrace Street
Manayunk Ave between Roxborough Avenue and Osborn Street
Rector Street between Terrace Street and Pechin Street
Pensdale Street between Terrace Street and Lauriston Street
Kingsley Street between Manayunk Avenue and Lauriston Street
Salaignac Street between Manyunk Avenue and Lauriston Street
Terrace Street between Dawson Street and Ridge Avenue
Vassar Street from Ridge Avenue to Cresson Street
Mitchell Street from Connaroe Street to Martin Street
Additional streets include: Unit blocks of Shurs Lane, Jamestown Street, Pensdale Street, Roxborough Avenue, Grape Street, Levering Street, Gay Street, Connaroe Street, Carson Street, Rector Street, Cotton Street,
Connaroe Street, and 300 block of Burnside Street
Note:
All cross traffic will be open as conditions allow.
The entire length of Kelly Drive will be completely closed to all traffic and parking.
There will be no vehicle access to Lemon Hill, Mount Pleasant, and Ormiston Mansions. Residents of these houses will not be permitted to drive vehicles on roads of the race course after 5 AM.
There will be no vehicle access to the Dairy and Edgely ball fields.
Vehicles (including bicycles) will not be permitted to enter the park at Dauphin Drive.
Vehicles entering at Diamond Drive will be given access up to Reservoir Drive only.
Vehicles entering the park at Oxford Drive will be permitted as far as Smith Playground only.
Sedgley Drive will be closed at Girard Avenue. Brewery Hill Drive will be closed at Girard Avenue.
Poplar Drive (Girard Avenue traffic) will be closed at Poplar Street, with all traffic directed east on Poplar Street.
There will be no access to the Park from Hunting Park Avenue, the Roosevelt Expressway or Midvale Avenue.
There will be no parking on Waterworks Drive, or Lemon Hill.
Delays can be expected and motorists are advised to avoid the area by using alternate routes, and allow for extra driving time in the areas near the race course before and during the race. Please refrain from double-parking, which creates congestion, limits traffic flow, and is illegal.
No Parking Zones
During the Philadelphia Cycling Classic, the following blocks will be in the "No Parking Zone", and all vehicles must be relocated beginning 8 a.m. on Friday, August 28. Any vehicles remaining on site during this time will be towed:
Lyceum/Levering Avenue from Cresson Street to Pechin Street
Manayunk Avenue from Ridge Avenue to Roxborough Avenue
Pechin Street from Lyceum Avenue to Roxborough Avenue
Roxborough Avenue from Pechin Street to Manayunk Avenue
All vehicles must be relocated from the full race course beginning at 3 a.m. on Sunday, August 30. Any vehicles remaining on site during this time will be towed.
SEPTA travel tips
The Ben Franklin Parkway is best accessed from the 15th Street Market-Frankford Line (L) Station and Race-Vine or City Hall Broad Street (B) Line Station.
Those traveling on Regional Rail will want to exit at Suburban Station.
If you're taking PATCO into Philadelphia from New Jersey, riders can take the B to travel to the race. Exit PATCO at 12th-13th Street Station. Head north on S 13th Street toward St. James Street, then left onto Walnut Street. SEPTA's Walnut-Locust Station is on the corner of Broad & Walnut streets.
Visit the Fares section for fare and SEPTA Key information
Download the SEPTA App for iPhone and Android devices. Visit the Google Play or Apple App Store and look for the official SEPTA App.
View alerts, advisories and detours across the system. To get the latest service news, call Customer Service at 215-580-7800 or follow SEPTA @SEPTA.
Spectators are encouraged to use public transportation when attending the event. The best way to get to the race is to take Septa, ride your bike, or walk. There will be no parking provided.
On race day, riders can also take PHLASH buses to Stop 9, FIFA Fan Festival on the PHLASH Downtown Loop. Located at Pennsylvania Avenue and Fairmount Avenue, the FIFA Fan Festival Stop is located 0.4 miles from the entrance to Philadelphia's FIFA Fan Festival at Lemon Hill.
To get the latest service news, call Customer Service at 215-580-7800 or follow SEPTA @SEPTA.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers are needed to support multiple tasks for the race, including course marshaling, hospitality assistance, medical control, athlete escorts, awards, and assistance with the AACR Ride before the pro race.
All volunteer questions should be directed to [email protected].