Longines Global Champions Tour Explained: Your Backstage Pass to the Ultimate Individual Challenge

Longines Global Champions Tour Explained
The Ultimate Individual Challenge

The Longines Global Champions Tour is the pinnacle of individual show jumping, bringing together the world’s best riders and horses to compete for the ultimate title. Spanning 16 incredible destinations across Asia, Europe, The Americas, and the Middle East, the LGCT is a high-stakes journey that tests skill, precision, and strategy at every stage.

With over €36 million in prize money on the line in 2025, the competition is fiercer than ever. Riders accumulate points across the season, with the best eight results counting toward their overall ranking. The rider with the highest points total at the end of the season is crowned the 2025 Longines Global Champions Tour Champion.

The Road to Victory: How It Works

At each leg of the LGCT, 40 riders qualify for the LGCT Grand Prix, where they face technical 1.60m courses designed to push them to their limits. Winning an LGCT Grand Prix is a game-changer, awarding 40 points to the champion and boosting their standing in the overall race. Every performance counts, but only a rider’s top 8 results contribute to their final championship tally.

The Golden Ticket: A Path to the LGCT Super Grand Prix

Beyond the championship battle, every LGCT Grand Prix winner secures a Golden Ticket to the Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix at the GC Prague Playoffs - a one-shot opportunity to compete against the season’s best for a share of the €1.25 million prize fund. If a rider who has already won a LGCT Grand Prix this season takes another victory, the ticket rolls down to the next highest-ranked competitor in that event.

Natalie Dean Breaks It Down

Want an insider’s look at how the Longines Global Champions Tour works? Step behind the scenes with top rider Natalie Dean in our exclusive Backstage Pass feature, where she breaks down the key rules, strategies, and what it takes to reach the top of the leaderboard.

LGCT: QUICK FACTS

• 16 destinations spanning the globe
• Over €36 million in prize money
• 1.60m fences in the LGCT Grand Prix
• 40 riders qualify for each LGCT Grand Prix
• Only the top 8 results count towards a rider’s final championship standing
• Each Grand Prix winner (or next highest-ranked rider) earns a Golden Ticket to the LGCT Super Grand Prix at the GC Playoffs in Prague

What’s Next?

With the 2025 season set to deliver unforgettable moments, all eyes are on the leaderboard. Who will claim the title and join the ranks of past legends?

Join us on GCTV for every thrilling moment of the ultimate individual challenge!