Slopestyle Super League Ignites 2026: New Gold Event Revealed, Global Season Unfolds, and Athletes Announced for Ōtautahi Slopestyle 

The Slopestyle Super League (SSL) is officially charging into its inaugural season. First introduced in late 2025, the new elite Slopestyle league marks a bold evolution for the sport, designed to deliver more competition, more opportunities for more athletes, and more high-level action for Slopestyle fans. Now, with another major event revealed and the opening stop just around the corner, the shape of the 2026 SSL season is coming sharply into focus. 

A new chapter, with a familiar competition stepping up  

The Freeride Mountain Bike Association (FMBA) has unveiled one of the two remaining ‘mystery’ events on the inaugural SSL calendar: Bikefest Kalnica. Formerly known as Birell Bikefest, this iconic competition returns to the FMB calendar with added prestige. As the longest-running FMB World Tour event – having never missed a season aside from the COVID-caused hiatus in 2020 – Bikefest Kalnica has long been a magnet for Slopestyle talent. 

After years as a Silver Level event drawing some of the best up and coming talent in the world, Bikefest Kalnica now steps up to Gold Level status within the Slopestyle Super League. The upgrade signals higher stakes, more points, and an elevated experience for both athletes and fans, cementing its role as a cornerstone event in the new league. Both fans and athletes can get excited to watch from afar or join at the Freeride Bikepark Kalnica in Slovakia from May 29-31. 

A global season takes shape 

With just one event on the 2026 SSL calendar still to be revealed (stay tuned – more news is coming in the next few weeks), the inaugural season is shaping up as a truly international tour. The Slopestyle Super League kicks off in Aotearoa New Zealand, heads to Europe, and then culminates in a three-part, back-to-back Slopestyle showcase across Canada this summer, bringing top-level competition to fans across the globe. 

Ōtautahi sets the tone 

The season begins in style at Crankworx Christchurch from February 19–22, where the Ōtautahi Slopestyle opens the 2026 SSL regular season as the first of five competitions. Hosted at Christchurch Adventure Park, this Gold Level event promises a compelling mix of hungry up-and-comers and established stars who led the now-discontinued Crankworx FMBA Slopestyle World Championship (SWC) for years. 

The purpose-built course in the beautiful coastal city of Ōtautahi Christchurch has already proven itself, with several returning athletes having competed here last season. Now, it’s ready to set the benchmark for what the Slopestyle Super League is all about. In a never-before-seen competition where local wildcards and up-and-comers on the Gold Level get the opportunity to ride against the field of top-level talent, normally only competing at Diamond events, who now must defend their turf. 

Confirmed athletes: a world-class field 

Fans can find more details via @crankworx, but here’s an overview of the truly international lineup confirmed for the Ōtautahi Slopestyle:

MEN Jarno Ahnert (GER)  Damien Anhder (USA)  Jake Atkinson (GBR)  Jaden Chipman (CAN)  Paul Couderc (FRA)  Erik Feko (GER)  Jack Feick (CAN)  Jayden Fleming (NZL)  Dane Folpp (AUS) – 2025 Red Bull Rookie of the Year  David Godziek (POL)  Anthony Gregory (NZL)  Callum Holloway (NZL)  Lucas Huppert (SUI)

Lyon Hyldahl (USA) Kaidan Ingersoll (USA) – 2025 winner  Marlon Katzke (GER)  Tobey Miley (GER)  Chance Moore (CAN)  LJ Parra (USA)  Griffin Paulson (CAN)  Flynn Robertson (NZL)  Nicholi Rogatkin (USA)  Saul Saunders (NZL)  Ayden Siebenaler (CAN)  Lukas Skiöld (SWE)  Ben Thompson (CAN) Lennox Zimermann (GER)

WOMEN Morgan Antone (NZL)  Lisa-Marie Blanc (FRA)  Harriet Burbidge-Smith (AUS)  Patricia Druwen (GER)  Angie Marino (USA)  Natasha Miller (CAN) – 2025 winner  Michelle Neuner (SUI)  Natalia Niedźwiedź (POL)  Shealen Reno (USA)  Alma Wiggberg (SWE)  Zoe Witwicki (CAN)

Fans who can’t be onsite to experience this star-studded line-up taking on the Ōtautahi Slopestyle course can watch the finals live on the Crankworx YouTube channel, bringing all the action directly from Christchurch to screens around the world.

What’s next 

After Christchurch, the SSL continues in Aotearoa at Crankworx Rotorua from March 11–15, featuring the iconic Slopestyle in Memory of McGazza as the first Diamond Level event of the season. 

Built to show new pathways to the pinnacle of Slopestyle for both athletes and event organizers, the Slopestyle Super League represents a major step forward for the sport. Alongside the SSL, the broader FMB World Tour will continue to foster progression at every level, with Bronze and Silver events running across continents. A full calendar for those events will be released in the coming weeks via @fmbworldtour and fmbworldtour.com.