Giza Pyramids to host Longines Global Champions Tour for first time

The Giza Pyramids will host a round of the Longines Global Champions Tour for the first time when the Cairo 2026 event takes place from 22 to 24 October.

The historic site, one of the world’s most notable cultural and tourist landmarks, will provide the setting for three days of top-level show jumping involving leading international riders and Egyptian competitors.

The event is intended to strengthen Egypt’s position on the international sporting map and demonstrate its ability to stage major global competitions. Its organisers say the country’s infrastructure and organisational capabilities meet the standards required for international events.

Cairo’s inclusion is particularly significant because it will combine elite equestrian sport with one of the world’s most important historical locations. The competition is expected to attract local and international spectators, while highlighting Egypt’s ability to host major sporting events in settings of both cultural and tourism significance.

The Longines Global Champions Tour, launched through Qatar Years of Culture, is among the leading international competitions in equestrian sport. The 2026 season features about 17 rounds across four continents, with total prize money of more than 36m euros.

This year also marks the 20th anniversary of the tour and the 10th anniversary of the Global Champions League (GCL), reflecting the competition’s growth and expanding international reach. With Cairo joining the calendar, Egypt becomes one of the global venues combining high-level competition with prominent cultural and tourism sites.

The Cairo round will feature CSI5 show jumping across three days, with fences reaching 1.60 metres and total prize money of 1.75m euros. The expected international line-up includes Britain’s Ben Maher and Scott Brash, Germany’s Christian Kukuk and Marcus Ehning, as well as Daniel Deusser, Ireland’s Cian O’Connor, France’s Simon Delestre, Belgium’s Pieter Devos and Austria’s Max Kuhner.

Egyptian riders Nayel Nassar and Sameh El Dahan will also compete. Nassar is part of the Cairo Pharaohs team in the GCL alongside El Dahan and a group of international riders, giving Egyptian supporters the chance to watch their representatives compete against some of the sport’s leading names.

As the season approaches its final stages, results from the Cairo round will count towards the overall standings, with riders and teams continuing their pursuit of the season’s titles.

The event forms part of a five-year partnership between the Longines Global Champions Tour, established through Qatar Years of Culture, and the Egyptian Equestrian Federation. The agreement is designed to support show jumping in Egypt and give local riders greater opportunities to compete alongside leading international athletes.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports is coordinating with the relevant bodies on organisational, logistical and technical preparations. This includes supporting the Egyptian Equestrian Federation and recruiting young volunteers with foreign-language skills.

The event is supported by ACUD, Tatweer Misr, WE, AMEA Power, Maridive and Lord. Cairo’s hosting also forms part of preparations for Qatar-Egypt-Greece Cultural Year 2027, giving the competition a wider cultural dimension and promoting links between Egypt and Qatar through sport, heritage and exchange.