MONTRÉAL, Sept. 18, 2026 /CNW/ -- With just two days to go before the start of the UCI Road World Championships Montréal 2026, excitement is building across the city. On the accommodation front, average hotel occupancy is expected to reach 90% throughout the Championships, with peaks up to 95% on competition weekends.

For Tourisme Montréal, these figures demonstrate the appeal of this major international sporting event and its ability to generate tourism activity across the city.

"What is particularly interesting for Montréal is that this event unfolds right in the heart of the city. Visitors come for the cycling, but they also discover our neighbourhoods, our architecture, our river, our mountain and the unique character of our city. This is what will transform this major sporting event into a true destination experience," said Yves Lalumière, President and CEO of Tourisme Montréal.

Montréal in the global spotlight

From September 20 to 27, Montréal will welcome more than 1,000 athletes from over 100 countries along with hundreds of media representatives, and visitors from around the world. The competitions will be broadcast in 140 countries and could reach as many as 200 million viewers.

These figures add to the approximately 500,000 spectators expected throughout the event and the projected economic impact of near $155 million for Montréal.

"An event like this is not measured solely by the number of people lining the course. It is also measured by the countless images of Montréal that will be seen around the world. The international visibility generated by the Championships represents an opportunity to introduce Montréal to new audiences and extend the tourism impact of the event well beyond September," added Mr. Lalumière.

Montréal: a world-class stage for sport

The UCI Road World Championships are also part of a special chapter in Montréal's relationship with international cycling. In 1974, Montréal became the first city outside Europe to host the UCI Road World Championships. Fifty-two years later, the city is once again welcoming this historic event, as 2026 also marks the 50th anniversary of the Montréal Olympic Games.

"Montréal has a long history of hosting major international sporting events. In 2026, we are writing a new chapter in that story."

About Tourisme Montréal

Tourisme Montréal is a private non-profit organization that has been promoting the city as an international destination for more than 100 years across leisure and business tourism markets. In this role, the organization leads the deployment of innovative visitor experience strategies with a dual objective: delivering high-quality experiences and maximizing tourism's economic benefits in a way that is balanced and mindful of long-term impacts on the city. Bringing together more than 1,000 members working directly or indirectly in the tourism industry, Tourisme Montréal plays a leading role in managing and developing Montréal's tourism offering and contributes to discussions on the city's economic, urban and cultural development. For more information, visit www.mtl.org.

SOURCE Tourisme Montréal