OTTAWA, ON (February 19, 2026) – Cycling Canada, in partnership with Leadout Esports, will host the 2026 Canadian Esports Championships on February 21, 2026, bringing riders from across the country together for a single‑day, nationally sanctioned virtual competition on Zwift. Serving as Canada’s marquee national event for virtual cycling, the Championships will crown Canadian titleholders from U17 through Masters, securing the coveted virtual maple leaf jersey.
“Leadout Esports is thrilled to host the Canadian Cycling Esports Championships on Zwift for 2026, building on the incredible success of our 2024 event with Cycling Canada,” said Nathan Guerra, CEO of Leadout Esports. “The level of competition we’ve seen throughout our qualifying series has been outstanding—Canada’s virtual cycling community is passionate, talented, and growing rapidly. This partnership represents our shared commitment to building the infrastructure and broadcast experience that these athletes deserve. Not only are we crowning champions for 2026; we’re laying the foundation for the long-term growth of competitive cycling esports in Canada.”
The 2026 edition will also see the return of dominant forces in Canadian esports racing. On the men’s side, three‑time champion Thomas Thrall lines up in pursuit of what could be a remarkable fourth consecutive national title. In the Elite women’s field, defending champion Tiffany Penner returns to protect her crown after a commanding performance in 2025, setting the stage for another high‑intensity battle among Canada’s top virtual athletes.
Fans across the country will be able to follow the action live, with full race coverage streamed on the Leadout Esports YouTube channel. For more information on the 2026 Canadian ESports Championships, please visit the Cycling Canada official event website.
