The Life Time Sea Otter Classic returns to Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, CA, from April 16–19, 2026. Marking its 36th edition, the event serves as a season opener for the international cycling industry with more than 1,000 brands from 33 countries confirmed to exhibit.
The festival, which is expected to draw over 75,000 attendees, has evolved into a significant growth engine for the trade. The Industry Connect program, now hosted by Hasty Awards, has seen a 30% increase in attendance from 2025, with 1,132 industry professionals reportedly set to participate.
This four-day professional networking experience provides a platform for retailers, buyers, and leaders to engage directly with exhibitors. According to the organising team, the entire event remains a premier launchpad for brands to debut new products and connect with the cycling community.
Frank Yohannan, Founder of the Sea Otter Classic, said “Our mission has always been to create a truly great experience for everyone involved – from the consumers, to the media and the entire cycling industry. As the Life Time Sea Otter Classic grows, we continue to maintain the same sense of family that started it all 36 years ago.”
Organised by Life Time, the event features 6,000 athletes and approximately 6,500 campers at the Laguna Seca Recreation Area. With an extensive portfolio in the fitness space, Life Time operates more than 185 athletic country clubs across the US and Canada and manages over 30 athletic events annually.
The 2026 schedule includes the return of the Brompton World Championship race on Saturday, April 18, which was last held at the festival in 2018.
Sylvie Woroniecki, Global Brand Manager at LOOK Cycle, said “The Life Time Sea Otter Classic is where the global cycling community comes together to discover what’s next, and that’s exactly the energy LOOK and PEMBREE thrive on. With over 70,000 passionate riders and 1,000+ brands converging on Monterey, there is simply no better launchpad to showcase our vision for gravel and gravity riding.”
Peter Orcutt, Senior Director of Outdoor at Adidas, said “Mountain biking has been a foundational pillar of Five Ten’s identity for decades, and we’ve been proud to grow our brand alongside the culture. Whether contributing to grassroots events or shaping our footwear innovation around rider input, our core belief has always been to show up for the community. The Life Time Sea Otter Classic is a cornerstone moment for the sport, and returning allows us to connect with that culture, support those who drive it forward, and preview what’s next.”
www.seaotterclassic.com
www.lifetime.life
