Championship Showdown at the Pyramids: World’s Best Riders Confirmed for Longines Global Champions Tour of Cairo

The battle for the 2026 Longines Global Champions Tour Championship is set to intensify as an exceptional line-up of international show jumping stars prepares to compete in Cairo, Egypt, from 22–24 October.

Against the breathtaking backdrop of the iconic Pyramids of Giza, the Longines Global Champions Tour of Cairo founded by Qatar’s Years Of Culture will make its highly anticipated debut in front of the Pyramids for Stage 14 of the 2026 season, bringing together some of the biggest names in the sport for a crucial showdown in the race for the Championship title.

With a spectacular €1.75 million total prize purse, the stakes could hardly be higher as the world's elite riders prepare to battle for valuable Championship points ahead of the season finale in Rabat. The event also marks an important expansion of the Tour’s partnership with Qatar’s Years of Culture initiative, bringing the excitement of international equestrian sport together with cultural exchange.

As a founding partner of the Tour’s Cairo leg, Years of Culture is helping to establish one of the most anticipated new destinations on the Global Champions calendar. The collaboration celebrates Egypt’s extraordinary cultural legacy while bringing riders and audiences together through a shared passion for equestrian sport.

Cairo also looks ahead to Egypt’s participation as a partner country in the Qatar, Egypt and Greece 2027 Year of Culture, offering an early opportunity to celebrate the relationship between Qatar and Egypt and build excitement for a year of creative collaboration and discovery.

Championship Battle Reaches Boiling Point

All eyes will be on current Championship leader Abdel Saïd, who arrives in Cairo determined to strengthen his grip on the top of the standings. Following his sensational victory in the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Rome, Saïd carries significant momentum into the penultimate stage of the season, with every point now potentially decisive in the fight for the 2026 crown.

Among those looking to challenge him is Max Kühner, who remains firmly in the Championship conversation and will be targeting a major result in Cairo to keep his title ambitions alive. With the Championship entering its final stages, the pressure is mounting. Every clear round, every second and every placing could prove critical as the leading contenders fight for position ahead of the ultimate showdown in Rabat from 30 October to 1 November.

The Cairo starting list features an extraordinary collection of Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix winners, promising three days of world-class sport. Two-time LGCT Champion Ben Maher will be among the headline names, alongside Longines Ambassador Christian Kukuk, who claimed a memorable victory in the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of London earlier this season.

German show jumping stars Daniel Deusser and Marcus Ehning will bring their wealth of experience to Cairo, while France's Simon Delestre, winner of the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Madrid earlier this year, will be looking to add another major victory to his 2026 campaign.

Joining them are some of the sport's most exciting international talents, including Jack Whitaker, Bertram Allen, Pieter Devos, Niels Bruynseels, Olivier Philippaerts, Thibeau Spits, Victor Bettendorf and Jeanne Sadran, each capable of delivering a standout performance on one of the most spectacular stages in international show jumping.

Adding to the excitement will be a strong contingent of riders with connections to the region, led by Egypt's own Sameh El Dahan and Nayel Nassar, who will have the opportunity to compete on home soil at this landmark event. For the Egyptian riders, the arrival of the Longines Global Champions Tour in Cairo represents a significant moment for the sport, bringing five-star international show jumping to one of the world's most recognisable destinations.

They will be joined by regional stars including Bassem Mohammed, Sheikh Ali Al Thani, Abdulrahman Alrajhi and Efe Siyahi, adding further international depth to the field.

Nayel Nassar spoke about the brand new LGCT saying: “How exciting, I never expected a 5* to ever come to Cairo, let alone a GCT event. It really says a lot about the direction the sport is heading in Egypt, and the effort our Federation is putting in to supporting the growth of show jumping within the country. The site of the ancient Pyramids marks another unique venue on the LGCT circuit and we hope our fans will come out to support our GCL team Cairo Pharaohs in our home city. The setting will be spectacular, the schedule is fantastic with great classes and prize money and the vibes should be impeccable with so much buzz around the community for this event, I can’t wait to be there!"

As the 2026 Longines Global Champions Tour celebrates its 20th anniversary, Cairo marks an extraordinary new chapter in the circuit's history. Combining elite five-star sport with the historic setting of the Pyramids of Giza, the event promises an unforgettable spectacle for riders, spectators and fans around the world. With the Championship title still to be decided and just one stage remaining after Cairo, the €1 million Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Cairo on Saturday, 24 October, could prove to be one of the defining moments of the entire season.

The countdown is on. The world's best are heading to Cairo. And the race for the 2026 Longines Global Champions Tour Championship is far from over.

Fans around the world can follow all the action live on GCTV, with exclusive coverage, results and behind-the-scenes content throughout the event.