Six years on, the VK OPEN reaches a new milestone with a rebranding and is now officially the VK OPEN World Cup. It remains the only worldwide circuit dedicated to Vertical Kilometer^® races and is sanctioned by the International Skyrunning Federation.

The 2026 season features nine spectacular stages across four continents, uniting elite athletes, passionate amateurs and mountain enthusiasts under one exhilarating banner. Three new destinations expand the World Cup map across the globe — from Canada, to the USA and Japan. The calendar also travels through Europe to Portugal and Andorra, sumitting in Columbia — with the promise of a thrilling mix of landscapes, cultures and challenges for athletes and fans alike.

The journey kicks off on March 7 with the ever-faithful KM de Câmara de Lobos, hosted on the stunning island of Madeira, Portugal. Known for its spectacular coastal setting and warm local atmosphere, this race once again sets the tone for the season, combining technical difficulty with unforgettable scenery. Its short yet intense course climbs 1,000m in just 2.9 km — an ISF Technical Level 2 race guaranteeing a powerful start to the World Cup.