The Longines Global Champions Tour returns from its brief summer break with the championship battle ready to explode back into life as Riesenbeck hosts the 9th stage of the 2026 season. Set against the stunning backdrop of Riesenbeck International, one of Germany's most prestigious equestrian venues is ready to welcome the biggest names in the sport for a pivotal weekend of world-class competition.
Adding to the excitement, fans around the world can tune in for even more action as the Longines Global Champions Tour launches a brand-new Free View initiative at Riesenbeck. For the first time, both the GCL on Saturday and the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Riesenbeck on Sunday will be streamed free of charge on the official GCL and LGCT YouTube channels, alongside the popular pre-class studio shows, which will lead viewers straight into the live competition.
Fans can also watch via GCTV, with the Saturday GCL studio beginning at approximately 13:20 ahead of Round 1 at 13:45, while Sunday's Grand Prix studio starts at approximately 14:35, before the 15:00 feature class. Be sure to subscribe to the official YouTube channels to receive live notifications and catch every moment of the championship action.
With the race for the 2026 Longines Global Champions Tour Championship entering its decisive final stretch, every championship point has never mattered more. Following an exhilarating first half of the season, the world's leading riders return refreshed and ready to launch their title ambitions on the spectacular grass arena, where history has been made time and time again.
The championship battle could hardly be tighter heading into Germany, with four of the current top five in the 2026 Longines Global Champions Tour standings all confirmed for Riesenbeck. Current championship leader Abdel Said will once again face relentless pressure from Max Kühner, Zoe Hank Conter, and Katrin Eckermann, as the fight for the overall title enters its decisive phase.
Home supporters will have plenty to cheer as an exceptional German contingent lines up on familiar ground. Champion Christian Kukuk heads the charge alongside former world number one Christian Ahlmann, legendary campaigner Marcus Ehning, Richard Vogel, Daniel Deusser, Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann, Jorne Sprehe, Katrin Eckermann, and Hans-Dieter Dreher, ensuring the home crowd will be treated to an incredible display of German horsepower.
International stars from across the globe will arrive determined to spoil the home celebrations. Henrik von Eckermann returns alongside fellow championship heavyweights Scott Brash, Julien Epaillard, Harrie Smolders, Gregory Wathelet, Laura Kraut, Denis Lynch, Bertram Allen, Cian O'Connor and Nayel Nassar and creating one of the strongest fields assembled this season.
The next generation of superstars is equally well represented, with exciting young talents including Jack Whitaker, Lillie Keenan, Jeanne Sadran, Antoine Ermann, Zoe Hank Conter, Ioli Mytilineou, Kendra Claricia Brinkop, Sophie Hinners, Caroline Rehoff Pedersen, and Nina Mallevaey all looking to make their mark as the championship battle intensifies.
Fans can also look forward to seeing an outstanding field of the likes of Nicola Philippaerts, Marlon Zanotelli, Victor Bettendorf, Yuri Mansur, Duarte Seabra, Koen Vereecke, Gudrun Patteet, Emanuele Gaudiano, Jérôme Guéry, Gilles Thomas, Willem Greve, Jessica Mendoza, Johan Sebastian Gulliksen, Jorge Matte, Fernando Martinez Sommer, Niels Bruynseels, Oliver Lazarus, Pim Mulder, Sanne Thijssen, and many more, guaranteeing fierce competition from the very first class.
Riesenbeck International combines immaculate footing, outstanding facilities and an electric atmosphere to create the perfect stage for elite sport. With the championship entering its defining months, every rail, every second and every point could prove decisive in the fight for the 2026 crown.
As the Longines Global Champions Tour returns, Riesenbeck promises three unforgettable days of top-level sport, championship drama and world-class entertainment. The road to the Finals continues here, and the battle for glory is only just beginning.
