The iXS Dirt Masters will not take place in 2026 and unfortunately has to take a break. The reasons for this are declining interest from bike manufacturers due to the difficult situation within the industry, the enormous increase in costs in the event management sector, and strict safety requirements.

The iXS Dirt Masters, organized at the Winterberg Bike Park, is considered the largest gravity festival in Europe. The mountain bike event was first held in 2007 and has hosted a wide variety of major competitions in the past, from FMB Gold Slopestyle Contests to the iXS Downhill Cup and the Fourcross Protour. One of its most striking features was undoubtedly the variety of disciplines on offer, with more than a dozen competitions taking place each year over the four days of the festival, usually during the long Ascension Day weekend.

Last year, around 30,000 visitors came over the four days to watch the 1,600 participants from over 30 nations. Another highlight of the festival was the huge expo area with over 100 brands presenting the latest trends and developments.

However, last year already showed signs that the difficulties facing the bike industry were also affecting the festival presence of bike manufacturers. Word of the problems facing the entire industry has now spread, and news such as the insolvency of YT has made it clear that the worst is not yet over. Even though the enormous efforts of those responsible for the last edition were able to compensate for the decline in exhibiting bike brands, at least outwardly, a further deterioration is looming for 2026.

The financial situation was already less than ideal at the 2025 event, and savings had to be made, some of which also affected the program. In addition to reduced revenues due to declining bookings for the expo area, costs continued to rise. This is due, on the one hand, to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, which generally doubled the costs of event technology in some cases, and, on the other hand, to the ever-increasing requirements in the area of safety and measures to reduce the burden on local residents.

Due to the difficult financial outlook and the associated impact on the quality of the event, the parties involved have decided that the iXS Dirt Masters Festival will take a break in 2026. It is hoped that the situation within the bike industry will improve in the near future, so that the revenue situation in the area of expo bookings will bring the festival back into calmer economic waters. iXS and Racement are already working together on concepts and possibilities to continue the festival in the future. Appropriate scenarios and adjustments are now being examined so that the iXS Dirt Masters can return in the coming years.

We would like to thank all visitors, athletes, exhibitors, sponsors, media partners, and, of course, Bikepark Winterberg and the city of Winterberg, who have loyally supported the festival over the past 19 years with great commitment. Together, we are all motivated to keep going!

Racement

The organizers are currently working on the race calendar for the iXS Downhill Cups, led by the flagship iXS European Cup and its two sister series, the PROPAIN Rookies Cup and VPACE Kids Cup. The series are more popular than ever and will deliver a packed season with a total of around 25 races planned.

iXS & Racement