Bike Republic Sölden Festival x Swatch Nines celebrates BMX premiere and world-class athletes
@Ötztal 2026, photos Tobias Siegele, Theo Acworth, Jonny Clarke
For the first time in the event’s history, mountain biking and BMX came together on a shared course. The centrepiece of the expansion within the two-hectare dirt district was a brand-new 900-square-metre BMX plaza featuring quarterpipes, rails and a variety of creative features. The appearance of 11-year-old Weston Lukens demonstrated that the next generation of bike professionals will remember Sölden fondly, as he joined some of the sport’s biggest names in turning the Dirt District into one giant bike playground.
The festival’s new June date proved to be a resounding success. Thousands of visitors took advantage of the sunny weekend to enjoy the expo area, product testing opportunities, live music and side events. The popular BRS Rally alone sold out completely with 500 participants. During the public sessions on Thursday evening and Saturday, nearly 3,000 fans gathered to witness the spectacular performances of the international bike elite.