SPECIALIZED CACTUS CUP 2027
- Date
- Race weekend: Friday to Sunday, March 12 to 14, 2027
- Start time
- 4:00 PM start (Phoenix)
- Location
- Fountain Hills, Arizona
- Entry fee
- From $10 · goes up to $165 on Oct 6, 2026
- Included with entry
- Includes a shirt
Registration is open.
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Official race websiteAdd to calendar: Apple or Outlook · Google
Events and entry fees
| Event | Distance | When | Entry fee | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, Mar 12, 2027 | ||||
| VINTAGE CRITERIUM RACE | Mountain Bike | Mar 12, 20274:00 PM | $40 | – |
| Saturday, Mar 13, 2027 | ||||
| CACTUS CUP | Mountain Bike | Mar 13, 20278:00 AM | $150$165 after Oct 6, 2026 | – |
| PRO CACTUS CUP | Mountain Bike | Mar 13, 20278:00 AM | $150$180 after Jan 12, 2027 | – |
| XC - 40 MILE | Mountain Bike | Mar 13, 20278:00 AM | $90$95 after Oct 6, 2026 | – |
| KIDS MOUNTAIN BIKE CAMP | – | Mar 13, 20278:30 AM | $150$160 after Feb 16, 2027 | 15 |
| MINI CUP | Mountain Bike | Mar 13, 20279:25 AM | $150$165 after Oct 6, 2026 | – |
| XC - 25 MILE | Mountain Bike | Mar 13, 20279:25 AM | $90$95 after Oct 6, 2026 | – |
| KIDS BALANCE BIKE RACE - Ages 1-5 | Mountain Bike | Mar 13, 202710:30 AM | $10$15 after Mar 2, 2027 | 60 |
| XC - 10 MILE | Mountain Bike | Mar 13, 202711:00 AM | $45$50 after Oct 6, 2026 | – |
| ADVANCED KIDS RACE (1st - 5th grade) | Mountain Bike | Mar 13, 20272:30 PM | $35$40 after Mar 2, 2027 | 60 |
| ADVANCED KIDS RACE (6th - 8th grade) | Mountain Bike | Mar 13, 20272:30 PM | $35$40 after Mar 2, 2027 | 60 |
| LITTLE SHREDDERS RACE (Beginner Kinder - 5th grade) | Mountain Bike | Mar 13, 20272:30 PM | $10 | 60 |
| Sunday, Mar 14, 2027 | ||||
| XC SPRINT - 20 MILE | Mountain Bike | Mar 14, 20278:00 AM | $70$75 after Oct 6, 2026 | – |
| GRAVEL SHAKEOUT | Gravel | Mar 14, 202710:00 AM | $20 | – |
Entry fees exclude processing fees. Prices and dates come from the race's registration page and refresh nightly.
The Mountain Bike fee goes up to $165 on Oct 6, 2026.
Race day planning
Entry fee schedule
- VINTAGE CRITERIUM RACE: $40 until Mar 11.
- CACTUS CUP: $150 until Oct 6, then $165 until Jan 12, then $175 until Feb 16, then $190 until Mar 12.
- PRO CACTUS CUP: $150 until Jan 12, then $180 until Mar 12.
- XC - 40 MILE: $90 until Oct 6, then $95 until Jan 12, then $100 until Feb 16, then $105 until Mar 12.
Online registration closes Mar 12, 2027, unless the race fills first.
Light and altitude
Sunrise on race morning is at about 6:42 AM, and the VINTAGE CRITERIUM RACE starts at 4:00 PM. The start sits about 1,670 feet above sea level.
Fees exclude processing fees. Comparisons use current entry fees and published results from races nearby.
Start location and course
16300 McDowell Mountain Park Dr., Fountain Hills, AZ 85263
The pin marks the address the race lists, which is usually the start. The organizers have not shared a course map with us yet.
Typical race-day weather
Around March 12 the day usually runs from 46°F at dawn to 68°F in the afternoon, with measurable rain on about 17% of days. Cold snaps dip to 41°F and hot years reach 84°F.
Based on 75 days within a week of the date over the last 5 years, from historical weather for the start area. Not a forecast.
Race details
- Where
- 16300 McDowell Mountain Park Dr., Fountain Hills, AZ 85263Map
- Course
- Road
- Start elevation
- About 1,670 feet
- Included with entry
- T-Shirt
- Distances
- Gravel, Mountain Bike
- Editions
- 2027 (Mar 12, 2027), 2026 (Mar 14, 2026), 2025 (Mar 7, 2025), 2024 (Mar 8, 2024), 2023 (Mar 10, 2023), 2022 (Mar 11, 2022)
Organize this race? Add details or a correction
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Quick answers
- When is SPECIALIZED CACTUS CUP?
- It is a race weekend, Friday to Sunday, March 12 to 14, 2027: Mountain Bike on Friday; Mountain Bike, KIDS MOUNTAIN BIKE CAMP on Saturday; Mountain Bike, Gravel on Sunday.
- How much does it cost?
- Entry starts at $10 before processing fees, and rises to $165 on Oct 6, 2026.
- When does registration close?
- Online registration closes Mar 12, 2027, unless the race fills first.
- Do athletes get a shirt or medal?
- Entry includes a shirt, according to the race's registration page. Check it for sizes and whether kids' races get the same.
- What distances are offered?
- Gravel, Mountain Bike.
- Where does it start?
- 16300 McDowell Mountain Park Dr., Fountain Hills, AZ 85263.
From the organizers
🌵 The Cactus Cup 2-Day Stage Race Returns for 2027! 🌵
Arizona’s Original Mountain Bike Stage Race is back with another action-packed 2-day weekend of desert riding, fast racing, and good times.
Since 1991, The Cactus Cup has been the season kickoff for mountain bikers of all levels. In 2027, we’re bringing back the 2-day format with iconic trails, multiple race options, and plenty of ways to take on the weekend.
🔥 The 2027 Format
For the Pros
Saturday
XC 40-Mile Big Loop
Short Track Showdown — an evening throwdown!
Sunday
XC 20-Mile Sprint
🏆 Pro Cup Winner: Aggregate time from all three races
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For Age Groupers – Choose Your Cup
Option 1: The Cactus Cup