The Vuelta a Espana is established as the third and final of cycling's three-week races, also known as the Grand Tours, and is held annually between August and September.
Like the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France, the Vuelta comprises 21 stages and traverses various terrains and disciplines in the quest to find a winner.
Standout riders include four-time winner Primoz Roglic and 2025 champion Jonas Vingegaard.
The race offers typically offers around €1,100,000 in prize money, with about €150,000 going to the winner and €11,000 for each stage victory.
Vuelta a Espana Dates & Times
The 81st Vuelta a Espana is due to start in August 2026, with an official date yet to be released.
Vuelta a Espana schedule
The full route has yet to be published and will be confirmed by the race organisers in due course.
Vuelta a Espana Format
The Vuelta a Espana follows the same format as the other grand tours, which includes 21 stages raced over three weeks.
Teams qualify as opposed to individuals, with the 18 World Teams given automatic qualification and Pro Teams will receive wildcard invitations.
There are no rounds or heats and stages are point-to-point rather than lap based. Time trials are raced individually against the clock.
Vuelta a Espana locations
The key locations for the 2026 Vuelta a Espana are still yet to be announced and will be confirmed in due course.
Vuelta a Espana Prize Money
Recent editions of the Vuelta a Espana have offered a total prize pool of around €1,100,000.
The overall winner typically receives around €150,000, with €11,000 awarded for each stage victory.
Additional prizes are given for points, mountains, young rider classifications and team performances.
Vuelta a Espana Previous Winners
Jonas Vingegaard is the defending champion of the Vuelta a Espana, having won the 2025 edition.
A list of all the previous winners can be found here.
