Paris-Roubaix returns on Sunday 12 April 2026 for the 124th edition of cycling’s most brutal one-day race. Starting in Compiègne and finishing inside the iconic Roubaix Velodrome, the race covers 258.3 kilometres with 30 cobbled sectors totalling 54.8 kilometres of pavé. Defending champion Mathieu van der Poel will be chasing a remarkable fourth consecutive victory, with Tadej Pogačar, Wout van Aert, and Mads Pedersen among the leading contenders for the cobblestone trophy.
What is Paris-Roubaix?
Paris-Roubaix is one of cycling’s five Monuments, the most prestigious one-day races on the professional calendar. Known as “The Hell of the North”, it is defined by its cobbled sectors: stretches of ancient pavé that punish riders and machines alike. The race is organised by Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) and forms part of the UCI WorldTour.
What sets Paris-Roubaix apart from other classics is the sheer volume and severity of its cobblestones. The 30 sectors in the 2026 edition are rated from one to five stars, with five-star sectors representing the most technically demanding and physically punishing stretches. Mechanical failures, punctures, and crashes are routine. Winning Paris-Roubaix demands power, bike-handling skill, tactical awareness, and a healthy dose of luck.
The 2026 route features notable changes to the opening cobbled sectors. By veering east towards the village of Briastre, the first four sectors now follow one another in quick succession with almost no asphalt between them, creating an unprecedented density of cobbles early in the race. Sector 26, rarely used in recent editions and featuring an 800-metre climb, has been added to this sequence, which could accelerate the racing from the outset.
When is Paris-Roubaix 2026?
The men’s Paris-Roubaix takes place on Sunday 12 April 2026. The race departs Compiègne at 10:50 CEST, with an estimated finish time of approximately 16:30 CEST at the Roubaix Velodrome. The women’s Paris-Roubaix Femmes is held on the same day, starting from Denain at 14:35 CEST and finishing at around 18:00 CEST. The women’s race covers 148.5 kilometres with 33.7 kilometres of cobbles.
Where is Paris-Roubaix?
The race starts in Compiègne, a town approximately 80 kilometres north of Paris, and finishes inside the Vélodrome André-Pétrieux in Roubaix, northern France. The velodrome, opened in 1936 and located in the Parc des Sports on the eastern outskirts of Roubaix, has hosted the race finish since 1943. It holds around 2,000 spectators and sits less than two kilometres from the Belgian border. The final 750 metres of the race are completed on the smooth concrete of the velodrome track, a jarring contrast after hours on cobblestones.
The race route passes through the Hauts-de-France region, crossing flat agricultural land interspersed with the famous cobbled sectors. The three five-star sectors are the Trouée d’Arenberg (2.4 kilometres of relentlessly rough pavé through a forest corridor, tackled at around kilometre 163), Mons-en-Pévèle (3 kilometres of loose, unpredictable cobbles at kilometre 210), and Carrefour de l’Arbre (2.1 kilometres just 17 kilometres from the finish, where decisive accelerations typically occur).
Key Contenders
Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) is the defending champion and overwhelming favourite. The Dutchman won the 2023, 2024, and 2025 editions, becoming only the third rider in history to win three consecutive Paris-Roubaix titles after Octave Lapize and Francesco Moser. His 2025 victory was particularly dramatic: struck in the face by a water bottle thrown from the crowd and then suffering a puncture on the Carrefour de l’Arbre, he still won by 78 seconds. A fourth consecutive win would be unprecedented in the race’s 130-year history. Van der Poel’s unique ability to ride cobbles standing up, absorbing impacts through raw power rather than technique, makes him the rider to beat.
Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates XRG) finished second in 2025 despite crashing with 40 kilometres remaining. The reigning world champion has reportedly been out on extensive reconnaissance rides of the course for 2026, and his victory at Milan-San Remo earlier this spring underlines his ambition to add a Paris-Roubaix cobblestone to his palmarès. With another year of experience on the pavé, Pogačar represents the most credible threat to Van der Poel’s dominance.
Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) arrives motivated after a mixed spring campaign. Paris-Roubaix suits his punchy, powerful style, and he showed devastating speed at Dwars door Vlaanderen. Van Aert has the engine and bike-handling skills to contend but will need to avoid the mechanical misfortune that has hampered his previous Roubaix campaigns.
Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) won Paris-Roubaix in 2022 and has been ominously consistent throughout spring 2026. The Danish rider’s calm, measured approach to the cobbles, distributing effort precisely across the full 257 kilometres, makes him a dangerous outsider with proven pedigree on this course.
How to Watch
In the United Kingdom, Paris-Roubaix is broadcast live on TNT Sports (formerly Eurosport) and available to stream on Discovery+. A TNT Sports subscription costs £25.99 per month when billed annually.
In the United States, the race is available on Peacock, NBC’s streaming platform. Subscriptions start at $7.99 per month for the ad-supported tier or $79.99 annually. FloBikes also carries the race for US-based subscribers.
In Australia, SBS broadcasts major cycling classics free-to-air, with streaming available on SBS On Demand. In France, the host nation, coverage is provided by France Télévisions on France 2 and France 3, free-to-air. Across Europe, Eurosport and Discovery+ carry the race in most territories. GCN+ provides additional global streaming options in selected markets.
History and Records
Paris-Roubaix was first held on 19 April 1896, created by textile manufacturers Théodore Vienne and Maurice Perez to promote the velodrome they had built in Roubaix. The inaugural 280-kilometre race was won by the German rider Josef Fischer. The race’s famous nickname, “The Hell of the North” (L’Enfer du Nord), did not originate from the difficulty of the cobbles but from the devastation of the First World War. When the race resumed in 1919, journalists were shocked to see the route pass through ruins, craters, and destruction across northern France.
The record for most victories is shared by Roger De Vlaeminck and Tom Boonen, each with four wins. De Vlaeminck won in 1972, 1974, 1975, and 1977, and holds the record for most podium finishes with nine. Boonen won in 2005, 2008, 2009, and 2012, becoming a modern icon of the race. Mathieu van der Poel, with three consecutive wins (2023, 2024, 2025), could surpass both with a victory in 2026. Belgium leads the national standings with 55 victories across the race’s history, reflecting the nation’s deep connection to cobbled classics.
Notable editions include the 2019 race won by Philippe Gilbert in atrocious conditions, and the rain-soaked 2021 edition where Sonny Colbrelli collapsed with a cardiac arrest on the velodrome shortly after finishing (he recovered and later returned to racing). The women’s race was introduced in 2021, with Lizzie Deignan winning the inaugural edition in commanding fashion.
Tickets and Attendance
One of Paris-Roubaix’s great appeals is that it is largely free to watch. Spectators can position themselves at any of the cobbled sectors along the route at no cost, and roadside viewing is unticketed throughout the race. The Trouée d’Arenberg and Carrefour de l’Arbre are particularly popular spectator spots, attracting thousands of fans who line the narrow lanes.
For the velodrome finish, grandstand seating is available through the official Paris-Roubaix website and authorised tour operators, with prices typically ranging from €25 to €195. The Roubaix Classics Club offers a premium grandstand experience beside the finish line, including café access with drinks and snacks. VIP hospitality packages, offered through operators such as Thomson Bike Tours and Sports Tours International, range up to €550 and include catering, live race broadcasts, and preferred viewing positions. A Departure Lounge hospitality option is also available in Compiègne at the race start.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Paris-Roubaix 2026 start?
The men’s race starts from Compiègne at 10:50 CEST on Sunday 12 April 2026, with the finish expected at approximately 16:30 CEST.
Where is Paris-Roubaix held?
The race runs from Compiègne (80 kilometres north of Paris) to the Vélodrome André-Pétrieux in Roubaix, northern France.
How can I watch Paris-Roubaix?
In the UK, watch on TNT Sports or stream via Discovery+. In the US, the race is on Peacock and FloBikes. In France, it is free-to-air on France Télévisions.
Who won Paris-Roubaix last year?
Mathieu van der Poel won the 2025 edition by 78 seconds from Tadej Pogačar, with Mads Pedersen completing the podium. It was Van der Poel’s third consecutive victory.
What are the cobbled sectors?
The 2026 men’s race features 30 cobbled sectors totalling 54.8 kilometres. The three five-star sectors are the Trouée d’Arenberg, Mons-en-Pévèle, and Carrefour de l’Arbre.