Make sure you don’t miss a thing with our 2026 Route Announcement Calendar of Events!
Friday, January 23
Dream Team’s “It Takes a Village” Event
The Dream Team is what it is in great part due to the generous support of our community. This event is a celebration of those who support – or are interested in supporting – this amazing youth cycling organization. Stop by and learn more about how you and your team can get involved.
Date: Friday, January 23, 2026
Time: 5pm – 6pm
Location: RAGBRAI HQ, Dream Team Area, 501 Scott Ave, Des Moines, IA 50301
Tickets: Free and open to the public – bring your team!
RAGBRAI HQ Open House – the Party before the Party!
Kick off Route Announcement weekend and stop by RAGBRAI HQ on Friday night! The open house will feature snacks, drinks, and camaraderie. Be sure to pick up some 2026 RAGBRAI merch to wear to the party tomorrow night.
Time: 6pm – 8pm
Location: RAGBRAI HQ, 501 Scott Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
Tickets: Free admission to the public
Saturday, January 24 – the Big Day!
4th Annual Pre-Announcement Zwift Virtual Ride
Join RAGBRAI Ride Director Matt Phippen and team for a Virtual ride on ZWIFT to kick off Route Announcement day. Ride starts at 8am Central sharp. Matt will answer questions about RAGBRAI and maybe you can find out what towns will be on route in July.
Time: 8am – 9am
Location: Virtual
Tickets: Free to Zwift riders – Registration Link here
Iowa Bike Expo
Stop by the RAGBRAI Booth at the Iowa Bike Expo! Check out our RAGBRAI LIII Kit, 2026 merch, including some new items.
Bonus: the JustGoBike Podcast will be on site, recording live throughout the day.
Time: 9am – 3pm
Location: Iowa Events Center
Tickets: Free and open to the public
RAGBRAI Route Announcement Party
Join us as we officially kick off the season by revealing Iowa’s best-kept secret: the 2026 RAGBRAI Route. The party will return to the state-of-the-art Vibrant Music Hall in Waukee. Don’t miss the second most anticipated event of 2026 (after RAGBRAI itself)! If you’re in the area you’ve got to attend – but a live stream will be available on our YouTube channel.
Think you know the route? Don’t forget to enter our Guess the Route contest before the announcement!
Time: 6pm – 10pm
Location: Vibrant Music Hall
Tickets: $50 individual, $500 table
Save the Date – Thursday, February 12th
February Town Hall
We will host our February Town Hall on Thursday, February 12th at 6:30 Central. RAGBRAI Director Matt Phippen will dive into the eight overnight towns of RAGBRAI LIII! More information can be found here! All RAGBRAI Town Halls are virtual and free to attend.
July 18-25, 2026
RAGBRAI LIII!
From the rolling hills to the welcoming small towns, RAGBRAI LIII promises to be an Iowa Classic.
Where: We’ll find out January 24!
More info and to register: RAGBRAI.com/registration
Helpful Links:
The Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) is the longest, largest, and oldest recreational bicycle touring event in the world. Since 1973, it has brought thousands of cyclists together to experience the beauty of Iowa’s countryside, small-town hospitality, and unforgettable memories.
For more information, visit RAGBRAI.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
