Cairo, Egypt – Thursday 22 October, 2026: Twenty years after setting out to transform international show jumping, the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) reaches another historic milestone this week as it makes its debut in Cairo, Egypt, against the spectacular backdrop of the Pyramids of Giza.
From a six-event series in 2006 to a global Championship spanning 17 destinations across 15 countries in 2026, the Tour has spent two decades redefining the scale and reach of elite show jumping. Its arrival in Cairo, for an event founded by Qatar's Years Of Culture, marks the latest chapter in that journey, bringing world-class competition to a new destination and opening the sport to new audiences.
Taking place from 22–24 October, the inaugural Longines Global Champions Tour of Cairo founded by Qatar's Years Of Culture provides a fitting stage for the Championship's landmark anniversary, combining elite sporting competition with one of the world's most recognisable cultural landmarks.
Two Decades of Growth and Innovation
Founded in 2006 by Olympic gold medallist Jan Tops, the Longines Global Champions Tour was created with a vision to raise standards across international show jumping, creating new opportunities for riders and horses while bringing the sport to extraordinary locations.
A series of game-changing moments followed in quick succession: Qatar joined the calendar in 2008 becoming a regular Middle East destination, before the Tour made the dramatic leap to mainland China and the dynamic metropolis of Shanghai in 2014. Its global footprint expanded again with the addition of stunning destinations in the Americas, including Miami Beach in 2015 and Mexico City in 2016. More recently, events in New York and Rabat, Morocco, have further deepened its presence across continents.
Two decades on, that ambition has helped establish one of the sport's most prestigious Championships, with more than €36 million in prize money across the 2026 season. The Tour's evolution has extended beyond international expansion. The introduction of GCL in 2016 brought a new team format to the sport, uniting riders from different nations and creating opportunities for emerging U25 talent to compete alongside established stars. The launch of the GC Playoffs in 2018 further raised the stakes, introducing the Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix and GCL Super Cup.
Across 20 years, the Championship has also provided a stage for generations of sporting excellence, from inaugural champion Ludo Philippaerts in 2006 to multiple title winners including Scott Brash, Edwina Tops-Alexander and Ben Maher. Most recently, Belgium's Gilles Thomas became the youngest-ever LGCT champion in 2025, reflecting the opportunities the Tour continues to create for the next generation of talent.
Cairo: A New Chapter in a Global Journey
The arrival of Global Champions in Egypt represents another significant moment in its international growth, bringing the highest level of show jumping to the Pyramids of Giza for the first time.
The landmark event builds on Global Champions' partnership with Qatar's Years of Culture, bringing world-class show jumping to new destinations and audiences while celebrating cultural exchange through sport.
Egypt's growing connection to the Championship is also reflected through Cairo Pharaohs, one of 17 GCL teams competing in 2026.With a €1.75 million prize purse and valuable Championship points at stake ahead of the Finals in Rabat and GC Playoffs in Riyadh, Cairo promises three days of exceptional competition at one of the world's most extraordinary sporting venues.
Looking Ahead to the Next 20 Years
As Global Champions celebrates its first two decades, supported by the outstanding commitment of its long-standing Title Partner and Official Timekeeper, Longines, the milestone offers an opportunity to reflect not only on the Championship's achievements, but on the future of international show jumping.
From pioneering new competition formats to expanding its international footprint, the Tour has continually evolved to meet the ambitions of riders, teams, partners and fans. As it enters its next chapter, Global Champions remains committed to innovation, engaging new audiences and expanding the global reach of the sport.
Jan Tops, Founder and President of the Longines Global Champions Tour and GCL, said:
"When we launched the Tour in 2006, our ambition was to take show jumping to new heights. Twenty years later, seeing the world's best riders competing against the backdrop of the Pyramids of Giza is an incredibly proud moment and a reflection of how far we have come.
From six events to a Championship reaching audiences around the world, we have continued to push boundaries and create new opportunities for riders, teams and fans. The exceptional commitment of our Title Partner and Official Timekeeper, Longines, has been instrumental to our success, and I thank them for their continued support and trust. We are equally grateful to Qatar's Years of Culture for their partnership in bringing world-class show jumping to new audiences and destinations.
But our ambition has always been focused on the future. Cairo marks another important milestone in our journey, and as we look ahead to the next 20 years, our focus is firmly on further innovation, expanding the global reach of the sport and inspiring a new generation of fans around the world."
The Longines Global Champions Tour of Cairo founded by Qatar's Years Of Culture takes place from 22–24 October 2026, with live on GCTV and across major international broadcast and streaming platforms, including Eurosport/TNT Sports, HBO Max, DAZN, MiguTV (China), FOX (Asia-Pacific), ClaroTV (Latin America), CBS (USA) and beIN Sports(Middle East and North Africa), alongside ON Sport in Egypt.