City of London Nocturne Returns in 2026, Blending Elite Cycling with City Spectacle

After an eight-year hiatus, elite cycling is returning to the streets of London with the City of London Nocturne, set to take place on June 12-13, 2026. The event, inspired by the original Smithfield Nocturne, aims to combine professional racing with a festival atmosphere, including live music and food stalls.

A New Era for Nocturne Racing

The reimagined Nocturne, organized in partnership with the City of London and British Cycling, will span two days. Friday, June 12th, will host the GOSH City Criterium, a pro-am race raising money for Great Ormond Street Hospital. Saturday, June 13th, will feature the main Nocturne event, showcasing elite cyclists. The event is free to attend, with ticketed hospitality options available.

Format and Features

The GOSH City Criterium will see teams of four riders compete for an hour, followed by a handover to their professional rider. A unique auction will allow teams to bid for their preferred professional cyclist, with proceeds benefiting Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Elite Racing and Broadcast Coverage

The elite race will take place on a new circuit starting at Bank Junction, running towards St Paul’s Cathedral. Elite races will be broadcast live on TNT Sports and HBO Max, with other races streamed live on YouTube.

A Legacy Reimagined

The Nocturne series originally began with the Newport Nocturne in 2001, followed by the Smithfield Nocturne in 2007, co-founded and organized by James Pope. The Smithfield Nocturne ran from 2007 to 2017, also hosting races in Edinburgh, Manchester, and Copenhagen. The 2026 event marks a revival of this popular city-center criterium, now a UCI-sanctioned Pro Criterium (CRTP) event.

Notable Participants

Confirmed participants include three-time Olympic gold medallist Ed Clancy and multiple world champion Rob Hayles.