Red Bull Rampage Returns to the Original Virgin Site for Its 25th Anniversary

Red Bull confirmed this week that Red Bull Rampage 2026 will return to the original 2001 competition zone near Virgin, Utah, the desert venue that hosted the first four editions from 2001 to 2004. The 25th anniversary event runs October 8 and 10, 2026, with 12 women competing Thursday and 18 men Saturday. It is the first time the women's field will ride the "OG" site, and the new start gate sits about a third higher than the original, giving the venue the longest vertical drop of any Rampage site at 206.5 meters (about 678 feet).

The announcement in short

The key facts, per Red Bull's announcement and coverage from Pinkbike, Mountain Bike Action, and BikeRumor:

– Where: the original 2001 to 2004 competition zone in southern Utah, near Virgin in Washington County.

– When: Thursday, October 8 (women) and Saturday, October 10 (men), 2026.

– Who: 12 women and 18 men, the largest women's field to compete at this venue.

– What changed: the start gate is roughly one third higher than in 2001 to 2004, producing the longest vertical drop in Rampage history at 206.5 meters. The men's and women's competition zones span about 364,000 square meters, roughly 90 acres.

– Why now: the 25th anniversary of an event that started as raw big mountain freeride in 2001.

Why the OG site matters

From 2001 to 2004, Rampage ran on this Virgin, Utah terrain using only natural features. No wooden ladders, no built jumps, no machine-built lines. Riders walked the desert hills, picked a line, and rode it. In the first year, survival was the trick. Wade Simmons won the inaugural 2001 event with a score of 78.4, and a 14 year old Kyle Strait rode his first of many Rampage appearances. Cam Zink debuted at the venue in 2003 and later became a two time winner.

The event later outgrew the site. It moved to nearby Utah Trust Lands in 2008, then to another venue in 2016, as riders began taking their hands off the bars, flipping, and spinning at a level the 2001 course could not support. The judging has stayed consistent through all of it: fluidity and control, air and amplitude, tricks, and the degree of difficulty in line choice.

What is different this time

Returning to the OG site does not mean rebuilding the 2001 course. Twenty five years of freeride progression means the terrain will be seen through what rider Thomas Genon called "a completely different lens."

The biggest change is scale. The start gate moves about a third higher than the original, and the resulting 206.5 meter vertical drop is the longest of any Rampage venue. That extra height gives riders room for bigger features and faster entries, which is exactly how modern Rampage lines are built.

The other headline is the women's field. The women's competition started as a two day format in 2024, and this October marks the first time the top 12 women will compete on the OG site itself.

One open question is how much built terrain the venue will allow. The early years ran on natural terrain only, with no man made features. Singletracks reported that the federal environmental review for the 2026 event describes "temporary construction and use of single track routes on steep, natural terrain," with minimal, temporary infrastructure on BLM administered lands and most event operations on adjacent private lands. In other words, expect the modern Rampage formula of hand dug lines, just on the most historic dirt in the sport.

How to watch or go

The women's competition is Thursday, October 8 and the men's final is Saturday, October 10. Spectator tickets are on sale now, and the event streams live on Red Bull TV and the Red Bull Bike YouTube channel.

From Salt Lake City, the drive is roughly four hours south on I-15, which makes this a legitimate weekend trip. October is also prime desert riding season in southern Utah, with cooler temperatures and tacky slickrock, so a spectating trip doubles easily as a riding trip.

Ride it yourself: Virgin is Utah's other bike capital

You do not need a Rampage invite to ride the terrain around Virgin. The Hurricane and Virgin area holds some of the best known desert singletrack in the country:

– Gooseberry Mesa: about 30 miles of rolling slickrock loops near Hurricane. This is the classic first time desert ride, with marked loops for every comfort level.

– JEM Trail: just west of Virgin near Zion National Park, about 7 miles of fast desert cruising along the cliffs above the Virgin River. Note that sections are one way downhill only, so check the current direction before you ride.

– Guacamole Mesa: about 10 miles of slickrock and singletrack near Virgin, a step up in exposure from Gooseberry.

– Little Creek Mountain: about 20 miles of trails near Hurricane for riders who want to go farther.

Desert riding in October rewards a few adjustments. The loose over hardpack and dust techniques you use on Wasatch trails in September translate directly, so review loose over hardpack line and setup moves and the setup tips for riding dusty, loose trails before you go. Carry more water than feels reasonable, stay off the cryptobiotic soil, and watch brake heat on long slickrock descents. The techniques that hold traction on loose grades are worth a refresher too, because desert climbs punish sloppy weight distribution just like Wasatch dust.

Why this matters for Utah riding

The Rampage announcement caps a busy stretch for Utah mountain biking. The Fox US Open of Mountain Biking, the finale of the Monster Energy Pro Downhill Series, runs September 11 to 13 at Deer Valley Resort, and Snowbasin Resort opened its new lift served bike park, built in partnership with SCOTT Sports, this summer. Between the US Open, Rampage's homecoming, and the new bike parks, Utah is hosting the sport's biggest stages in a single season.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Red Bull Rampage 2026?

The women's competition is Thursday, October 8, 2026 and the men's competition is Saturday, October 10, 2026, near Virgin, Utah.

Where is the original Rampage site?

The OG site is the competition zone used for the first four editions, from 2001 to 2004, near Virgin in Washington County, southern Utah.

How can I watch Red Bull Rampage 2026?

Tickets for spectators are on sale now. The event streams live on Red Bull TV and the Red Bull Bike YouTube channel.

Can regular riders ride the Virgin area trails?

Yes. Gooseberry Mesa, JEM, Guacamole Mesa, and Little Creek Mountain are public trails near Hurricane and Virgin. October is one of the best months to ride them.

Why is the 2026 venue significant?

It is the first time the women's field will compete at the original 2001 venue, and the higher start gate gives it the longest vertical drop, 206.5 meters, of any Rampage site.

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