If you’ve been following the Hard MTB League since Braydon Bringhurst introduced his vision, you know this isn’t just another event trying to make a mark on the racing schedule. The unique format involves competitors facing off across disciplines such as Downhill Gnar, Tech Climbing, Raw Slalom, and Tech Rhythm in a single combined event. This is a genuinely innovative concept in a sport where new ideas are seldom seen. With Ari Bikes and Canyon Bicycles now confirming their 2026 sponsorship, it’s clear the industry is starting to pay attention to what is happening here.
Hard MTB League is also working to engage with the community that makes this sport so amazing, with a series of Local Challenges across the country. Hard MTB has 6 planned challenges, two of which have already been a success in Utah and Arizona.
If you’re looking to test your skills, grow as a rider, and connect with a community of mountain bikers who keep positivity at the forefront of riding, then head over to Hardmtbleague.com to see if a group ride event is coming to a trail system near you.
Hard MTB League Local Challenges
New Sponsors and Event Growth
Let’s start with Ari Bikes. The brand is listed as the league’s first official sponsor, and while Ari might not have the same name recognition as some of the legacy players, that’s kind of the point. Getting in early on something like this is essential. Backing this event before the results are proven and the hype is fully baked says something about how a brand sees the sport and where it’s going. Kyle Strait, who will be throwing down on his Nebo Peak this season, put it well enough when he said he’s pumped to see a fully new event format come to life. Kyle Strait saying he’s excited about something is usually a pretty good endorsement.
“Hard MTB League is exactly the kind of competition Ari bikes were designed for,” said Chris Washburn, CEO of Ari Bikes. “Our bikes are built to handle everything. The climbs, the descents, the jumps. And so are the athletes lining up on May 23. Seeing riders like Kyle, Tegan, Kailey, and Nik put our machines through a true all-around test is what this brand is about. We’re proud to be part of what Hard MTB League is building.”
Canyon’s involvement is a different story, and in some ways a more layered one. The German brand’s relationship with Bringhurst predates the league itself. Bringhurst and Canyon have collaborated on media projects and events for many years now, so this partnership has a foundation built on more than just a press-release handshake. Canyon’s framing of the alignment makes sense on paper: a brand that builds bikes designed to perform across all types of terrain backing a competition that forces riders to adapt and unbox themselves, just as Bringhurst has been doing. The philosophy tracks.
“Canyon has been part of my journey for just over 7 years, and they understand what we’re building here; they don’t just sponsor events – they partner with movements that push the sport forward. This format represents what I believe to be the future of all-mountain bike racing, and Canyon gets it.”
–Braydon Bringhurst, Hard MTB League Founder
Two Canyon athletes will line up at the 2026 qualifier. Luca Cometti brings a two-time Dual Slalom National Championship pedigree alongside World Cup Downhill roots – exactly the kind of well-rounded, technically diverse background that this format should reward. Then there’s Olivia Silva, a slopestyle and dirt jump specialist who has been with Hard MTB League since the very beginning, competing in both the Test Event and the Pro Invitational. Having someone like Olivia, who’s already bought into the vision and brings a genuinely creative, aerial approach to competition, feels like a strong piece of the puzzle for Canyon’s presence here.
Jake VanHeel
How Hard MTB League is Growing
Beyond the headline sponsorships, what stands out about Hard MTB League heading into 2026 is the scope of what it’s trying to build around the actual competition. A $125k-plus prize purse is serious money for an emerging series. The Global Travel Awards, designed to ensure international riders aren’t locked out because of geography, are a thoughtful piece of infrastructure. And the mentorship pairing between younger riders and League veterans is the kind of program that quietly shapes a sport’s culture more than any single race result ever will.
The events are planned across North America, Australia, and Europe. That’s an ambitious geographic footprint for a league still in its early chapters. But if the talent coming through, and the brands now backing it, are any indication, Hard MTB League is building something worth watching closely in 2026.