Life Time has announced a new qualification format and expanded seven-race schedule for the 2027 Life Time Grand Prix off-road racing series.
The new system creates a performance-based entry process for the 25-woman and 25-man fields. The top 10 women and top 10 men from the final 2026 Life Time Grand Prix standings will receive automatic invitations for the 2027 season, alongside the top-performing woman and man from the 2026 U23 program.
The remaining 14 spots in each field will be determined through the new Sea Otter Grand Prix Qualifier during the Life Time Sea Otter Classic in Monterey, CA.
Riders competing in the Pro category will qualify based on combined results from two events: Life Time Sea Otter Classic Gravel on Thursday and Life Time Sea Otter Classic Fuego XL on Saturday. The gravel race will also serve as the opening round of the seven-event championship in 2027, with points counting toward an athlete’s overall score upon qualification.
In addition to the qualification changes, Life Time will introduce a new Pro category vetting process in September 2026 for riders applying to race in the Pro field at 2027 events.
The 2027 season marks a return to a seven-race calendar, featuring the return of The Rad Dirt Fest in Trinidad, CO, as the fifth round.
The full 2027 Life Time Grand Prix calendar includes:
- Life Time Sea Otter Classic Gravel
- Life Time UNBOUND Gravel 200 presented by Shimano
- Life Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB presented by Kenetik
- Life Time Chequamegon Mountain Bike Festival
- Life Time Rad Dirt Fest
- Life Time Little Sugar MTB
- Life Time Big Sugar Gravel presented by Kenetik
Athletes will be required to start a minimum of six events in 2027, with their best six results counting toward the final standings. Riders who complete all seven races can drop their lowest score.
Kimo Seymour, President of Events and Media at Life Time, said “We’ve listened closely to athletes, agents and partners, and one opportunity we identified to enhance the Series is to create a performance-driven path into the Life Time Grand Prix. Establishing the field earlier also gives athletes greater certainty as they plan their seasons and partnerships.”
The remaining events on this year’s 2026 Life Time Grand Prix schedule include:
- Life Time Chequamegon MTB Festival – September 19, 2026
- Life Time Little Sugar MTB – October 11, 2026
- Life Time Big Sugar Gravel – October 17, 2026
