The Canary Islands will host their first professional international stage cycling race next January, with a new Vuelta Ciclista a Canarias taking place across Gran Canaria and Tenerife.

The inaugural event will be held from 14th to 17th January 2027 and has been included on the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) calendar as a 2.1 category race, allowing WorldTour and ProTeam squads to compete alongside invited Continental teams.

Four stages across two islands

The competition will consist of four stages, with the opening two days taking place in Gran Canaria on 14th and 15th January, followed by two stages in Tenerife on 16th and 17th January. A team presentation will also be held before racing begins.

Organisers are planning a varied route incorporating a coastal stage, a medium-mountain stage, a high-mountain stage and a final stage finishing at altitude.

The detailed routes and participating teams have yet to be announced.

WorldTour teams can take part

Its UCI 2.1 classification means some of professional cycling's biggest teams will be eligible to participate, alongside ProTeams and invited Continental squads.

The Canary Islands are already widely used by professional cycling teams for winter training because of their climate and demanding terrain, including the high-altitude roads of Tenerife and the mountain routes of Gran Canaria.

Organisers estimate that more than 70% of professional teams use the islands for pre-season training, providing an existing pool of teams and riders potentially able to compete in the January event.

International coverage on Eurosport

The race is due to be broadcast live on Eurosport, as well as through international and digital platforms.

Organisers say the coverage could reach audiences in more than 60 countries, providing additional international exposure for Gran Canaria and Tenerife.

The race is being organised by Canarias Eventos 360 with support from the Canary Islands Government, the island councils and municipalities hosting stages.

There are also plans to expand the event in future years, potentially increasing it to six stages and bringing Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro into the race