Paris-Roubaix, one of cycling’s most iconic races, will officially be known as “Paris-Roubaix Hauts-de-France” starting this year, a change reflecting a deepened sponsorship agreement with the regional government of Hauts-de-France. The announcement came Thursday as organizers detailed course modifications for the 123rd edition of the race, scheduled for April 12.
The name change, while formally registered with the UCI for some time, signals a shift from simple sponsorship to a more integrated branding partnership, mirroring similar arrangements seen in other major cycling events. The regional government has been a visible sponsor for several years, with branding appearing on course infrastructure, but the inclusion of “Hauts-de-France” in the official race title represents an escalation of that support.
This move follows a trend within professional cycling, with other prominent races as well incorporating regional or sponsor names. The Critérium du Dauphiné is now known as the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Gent-Wevelgem will be rebranded as “In Flanders Fields” for the 2026 edition. Omloop Het Nieuwsblad has also been shortened to Omloop Nieuwsblad.
Alongside the name change, organizers announced adjustments to the 258.3km course, slightly shorter than the 259.2km route used in 2025. The route will still feature 30 sectors of cobblestones, totaling 54.8 kilometers. Race director Thierry Gouvenou indicated that the modifications are intended to create a more dynamic and challenging race.
“By veering slightly east towards the village of Briastre, we arrive at a situation where the first four sectors follow one another in quick succession, with almost no asphalt in between, creating an unmatched density of cobbles,” Gouvenou said Thursday. “Two years ago, Alpecin-Deceuninck had already begun to scatter the peloton at this stage. And at the finish of this sequence, we are adding sector 26, even more rarely used and featuring an 800-metre climb.”
The inclusion of a climb, a rare feature in the traditionally flat terrain of Paris-Roubaix, is expected to add a new dimension to the race. The five-star sectors – Trouée d’Arenberg, Mons-en-Pévèle, and Carrefour de l’Arbre – will remain central to the challenge.
The women’s Paris-Roubaix race will also undergo changes for 2026. While 5km shorter than the previous edition, the women’s course will incorporate three new cobblestone sectors, increasing the total distance of pavé to 33.7 kilometers. A key addition is the four-star Haveluy sector, stretching 2,500 meters. The women’s race will follow the final 17 sectors of the men’s route and will be held on Sunday, shifting from a standalone Saturday event.
Organizers cited benefits from a prime television slot, with the finish expected around 6:20 pm, as well as logistical considerations related to road closures as reasons for the schedule change. The move to Sunday is also intended to reduce costs associated with closing roads for two consecutive days.
