Start of Omloop het Nieuwsblad remains in Ghent over the next six years

The start of Omloop het Nieuwsblad remains in Ghent for the 2026–2031 period. Flanders Classics has concluded an agreement to that end with the City of Ghent. On Saturday 28 February, the riders will once again gather in the legendary Kuipke for a new edition of the opening classic.

The opening classic Omloop het Nieuwsblad will, as tradition dictates, kick off the Flemish cycling spring in Ghent on Saturday 28 February 2026. The riders will assemble in ’t Kuipke for the team presentation before setting off for a true cycling spectacle. It will be the 81st edition for the men and the 21st for the women.

Omloop het Nieuwsblad is inextricably linked to the City of Artevelde. That is why Flanders Classics has signed a new agreement with the City of Ghent for the period 2026–2031. The start of both the men’s and women’s races will therefore take place in Ghent over the next six years.

Bram Van Braeckevelt, Alderman for Sports: “On Saturday 28 February, the Flemish spring can truly burst into life with Omloop het Nieuwsblad. Not only the professionals, but also all cycling fans are looking forward to the races, the opening of the cycling season par excellence, which will also start in our monumental city over the next six years.”

Tomas Van Den Spiegel, CEO of Flanders Classics: “The fact that the opening classic will also start in Ghent for the next six editions is an extra reason to raise a glass at the end of the year. We are already very much looking forward to the kick-off of the new cycling spring in ’t Kuipke, as has now become tradition. In addition, we thank the City of Ghent for its trust and for extending a collaboration that has been running exceptionally smoothly for many years between our organization and all the services involved.”