Eschborn-Frankfurt becomes a festival route
April 27 th 2026 - 11:00
On 1 May, Eschborn–Frankfurt is not only a sporting highlight, but also a major attraction for spectators along the route: from Eschborn via the Taunus to Frankfurt, the 210-kilometre UCI WorldTour elite course is transformed into a vibrant festival route with numerous route festivals and side events for the whole family.
Many official route festivals invite fans, families and curious visitors to experience the fascination of cycling up close – with exciting elite races and more than 12,000 amateur riders, a fantastic atmosphere, regional food and drink, and a direct view of the professionals.
Kick-off in Eschborn: a fan experience up close
Race day begins in Eschborn, where the start area will be relocated to Eschenplatz in 2026 due to construction work. From 10 am, this will become a central spectator hub featuring a big screen, a stage programme and team presentations. The professional teams’ buses will be parked in the immediate vicinity of the start area – ideal for photos and autographs. All teams will be introduced on stage starting at 10:30 am before the neutralised start for the professionals takes place at 11:45 am.
In parallel with the events on Eschenplatz, the finish line for the ADAC Velotour will be located on the Selgros site in Eschborn from 10 am to 3.30 pm, along with the accompanying expo featuring numerous hands-on activities – including the ADAC rollover simulator.
Roadside festivals in the Taunus: cycling meets the fair
Along this historic route, roadside festivals are held in Schmitten im Taunus (the Großer Feldberg hairpin bend – the ski jump, Niederreifenberg and Oberreifenberg), Schwalbach am Taunus (Sulzbacher Straße), Eppstein (Taunus) (Gottfriedplatz and Wernerplatz at the foot of the castle), Königstein im Taunus (at the end of Mammolshainer Berg), Oberursel (Marktplatz), Sulzbach (Platz der Linde) and Kronberg (Berliner Platz) ensure a unique event experience.
The first events kick off as early as 9.30 am and offer a varied programme of food, music and family activities. Whilst some locations attract visitors with DJ sets, children’s activities or live commentary, the race will also be broadcast live on big screens in selected towns such as Eppstein, Königstein, Kronberg, Oberursel and Sulzbach.
A new highlight of the route this year is the Burgweg. Just 500 metres long, but with an average gradient of 11 per cent, the elite riders will tackle this climb three times. The atmosphere will be particularly electric at well-known key points along the route: at the Feldberg hairpin in Schmitten or at the Mammolshainer Stich in Königstein, where large crowds of fans traditionally gather and where the race could be decided. Between 2.15 pm and 4.30 pm, the professionals will ride over the Stich three times to the cheers of the fans.
Side events in Frankfurt: from balance bike races to the U17 youth category
Eschborn–Frankfurt also offers a packed programme of side events away from the race route. Around the Alte Oper in Frankfurt, the event kicks off on 30 April from 11 am to 7 pm with an expo and the distribution of race packs for the ADAC Velotour.
On 1 May, the focus at the Expo and in the finish area will be on various side events: at the Süwag Energie Youth Cup, young cyclists in the U11 to U17 age groups will take to the start line on a circuit in Frankfurt. The “Kinder Joy of Moving mini tour” is aimed at children aged between two and twelve and offers a playful introduction to cycling and physical activity through balance bike races, a bike parade and an interactive experience zone.
The “VGF – Everyone Rides Together – Inclusion Race” sends a strong message of togetherness, with school classes, among others, taking to the course together to make cycling an inclusive experience. The Eschborn-Frankfurt cycling classic thus demonstrates once again that sport is open to everyone. Here, world-class cycling meets grassroots sport for young and old alike. With the enthusiasm on display both on and off the course, the entire region becomes a stage for a day.
Up-to-date information on passage times, road closures and travel arrangements is available at:
