Grants Pass to Host USA BMX Gold Cup Northwest Final

GRANTS PASS, Ore. (Sep. 2, 2026) — Some of the Northwest’s top BMX racers will converge on Grants Pass next week as River City BMX hosts the USA BMX Gold Cup Championship Series Northwest Final, bringing three days of high-speed racing to Southern Oregon.

The championship event is scheduled for Sept. 11-13 at River City BMX, 251 Agness Road. Riders from across the region will compete head-to-head on the nonprofit track, with races beginning at 5 p.m. Friday, 11:30 a.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. Sunday.

Admission is free. Parking is $15 per day.

For River City BMX, hosting the event represents an opportunity to showcase a track that has been built around both competition and youth development.

“River City BMX is a nonprofit track that I like to say is ‘owned by the kids’ — and that includes the adults, too, because they’re just big kids,” said James Martin, track operator at River City BMX.

Martin said the track relies on members, volunteers, community support and local businesses. Bringing the Gold Cup Finals to Grants Pass gives those supporters an opportunity to introduce the track to a larger BMX audience.

“Our track is supported by our members and volunteers, the community and local businesses, so having the Gold Cup Finals here in Grants Pass gives us an opportunity to showcase our track and let everyone involved show the BMX community who we are and what we’re about,” Martin said.

River City BMX was designed as a skills-focused track intended to accommodate riders of different experience levels.

“We built Grants Pass to be a skills track that’s welcoming to new riders while still challenging advanced racers,” Martin said. “As soon as a kid can ride a balance bike, they can race here.”

Martin said the track hopes hosting the championship will lead to additional USA BMX events in Grants Pass.

“After this event, we hope USA BMX will return for more events in the future, allowing the track to continue giving back to the community and building a future for BMX in Grants Pass,” he said.

Local riders prepare for championship

Local riders have been preparing for the event through clinics and regular race days, Martin said. Preparation has included a summer training clinic led by BMX riders Burlin Harris and Tyler McGuire.

For young riders who have spent years competing at River City BMX, the arrival of a major championship event carries special significance.

“It’s kind of crazy because we’ve never had a huge race like that in the seven years that I’ve been racing,” said Lakiya, a local BMX youth rider. “So it means a lot to have this huge final come to our track.”

Lakiya also said the sport provides an opportunity to help younger riders develop.

“It means a lot to me being able to help younger riders advance into their BMX careers,” Lakiya said.

The event also represents a milestone for longtime River City BMX rider Will Williams, who has been riding at the track since 1992.

For Williams, BMX is about more than competition.

“The most fun part is the time we get to spend with our friends and family and the memories we create throughout the entire process, whether it’s riding a couple of times a week or taking a weeklong trip,” Williams said.

A weekend of BMX and Southern Oregon tourism

Organizers and Visit Grants Pass officials are also encouraging visitors coming for the championship to explore the community and surrounding Rogue Valley.

Grants Pass sits along the Rogue River and offers access to whitewater rafting, kayaking, fishing and paddleboarding. The city’s historic downtown features coffee shops, breweries, bookstores, antique stores, art galleries, boutiques and riverfront dining.

Visitors can also explore nearby hiking and biking trails, including the Dollar Mountain Trail System, or travel into the Applegate Valley and Illinois Valley wine regions.

The USA BMX Gold Cup Championship Series is part of a national BMX racing organization with more than 70,000 members and more than 300 sanctioned BMX tracks across the United States and Canada, according to USA BMX.

The organization traces its roots to 1977, when it was established as the American Bicycle Association. USA BMX now encompasses racing, freestyle, youth development programs, scholarships, STEAM initiatives and national events.

The organization promotes a progression in cycling that can begin with a balance bike and, for some riders, eventually lead to elite competition and the Olympics.

For Grants Pass, organizers say the Gold Cup provides an opportunity to introduce the city and River City BMX to riders and families from throughout the region while highlighting the community’s outdoor recreation and tourism offerings.

Event details: