The stage is set for one of the biggest weekends on the international show jumping calendar. From 19 to 22 November, 68 elite riders will gather in Verona for the 2026 GC Playoffs, bringing the Longines Global Champions Tour and GCL seasons to a spectacular conclusion. With newly crowned LGCT Champion Abdel Saïd among the headline names, the battle for the sport's most prestigious end-of-season titles promises to be fiercely contested.
World's leading teams prepare for Super Cup battle
For the first time, the GC Playoffs will take place at Veronafiere, with more than €11 million in prize money across four days of competition.
The GCL Super Cup will see the championship's leading teams go head-to-head in a knockout competition, with all scores reset for the season finale.
Leading the contenders are 2026 GCL Champions Riesenbeck International powered by HorseGym. Their German squad features Christian Kukuk, Marco Kutscher, Maximilian Weishaupt and Philipp Weishaupt, giving the team a wealth of experience at the highest level.
Istanbul Warriors powered by Carpe Diem Equestrian Team will also be among the favourites. With reigning LGCT Champion Abdel Saïd joining Simon Delestre and former world number one Henrik von Eckermann, the team has assembled one of the strongest combinations in the field.
New York Empire powered by Lugano will rely on two-time LGCT Champion Scott Brash, Denis Lynch, Mark McAuley and Michael Pender. Meanwhile, Prague Lions powered by Czech Equestrian Team have selected Fernando Martinez Sommer, Thibeau Spits, Niels Bruynseels and Pieter Devos.
All four teams have secured direct qualification for Friday's Semi-Finals.
Championship contenders ready to challenge
Several other teams will be determined to upset the favourites.
Shanghai Swans arrive with an exceptional collection of talent, including Ben Maher, Christian Ahlmann, Daniel Deusser and Max Kühner. Valkenswaard United will field Marcus Ehning, Hans-Dieter Dreher, Sandra Auffarth and Thibault Philippaerts.
Following their victory at the GCL Finals in Rabat, Monaco Aces will be looking to maintain their momentum. Yuri Mansur and Ioli Mytilineou are joined by Peder Fredricson and Duarte Seabra.
Cannes Stars will present an all-female squad featuring Sophie Hinners, Anastasia Nielsen, Jorne Sprehe and Angelica Augustsson Zanotelli.
Madrid in Motion, winners of the inaugural GCL Super Cup in 2018, return with Maikel van der Vleuten, Sergio Álvarez Moya and Victor Bettendorf.
Other teams in contention include St Tropez Pirates, Doha Falcons, Mexico Amigos, Cairo Pharaohs, Scandinavian Vikings, Basel Cosmopolitans and Riyadh Knights.
With three riders competing per round and elimination on the line, consistency will be just as important as speed.
Abdel Saïd headlines LGCT Super Grand Prix field
Saturday evening will bring the individual highlight of the weekend: the €1.25 million Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix.
Only fifteen riders have qualified for the prestigious competition, having earned their places through the 2026 LGCT season.
Newly crowned LGCT Champion Abdel Saïd will be among the leading contenders, alongside established stars Christian Kukuk, Simon Delestre, Max Kühner and Nicola Philippaerts.
The full list of qualified riders includes Katrin Eckermann, Piergiorgio Bucci, Nicola Philippaerts, Simon Delestre, Abdel Saïd, Anastasia Nielsen, Max Kühner, Stephan de Freitas Barcha, Victor Bettendorf, Christian Kukuk, Yuri Mansur, Sophie Hinners, Pieter Devos, Olivier Philippaerts and Angelica Augustsson Zanotelli.
The competition will be decided over two challenging rounds, with fences reaching 1.65m, putting both precision and partnership to the ultimate test.
Italian riders set for home appearance
The Verona debut also offers a special opportunity for the host nation's riders.
Fabio Brotto, Giacomo Casadei, Luca Coata, Guido Grimaldi and Riccardo Pisani have been confirmed among the Italian national federation representatives.
They will join fellow Italian stars Emanuele Gaudiano, Emanuele Camilli and Piergiorgio Bucci, adding further home interest to an already impressive international field.
Four days to crown the champions
The action gets underway on Thursday 19 November with the GCL Super Cup Quarter-Finals, followed by the Semi-Finals on Friday.
Saturday's programme features the highly anticipated LGCT Super Grand Prix, before the GCL Super Cup Final brings the four-day event to a close on Sunday 22 November.
With championship-winning teams, Olympic stars and some of the world's most exciting young talents all heading to Italy, Verona is preparing for a thrilling conclusion to the 2026 Global Champions season.
