The Birmingham Times
FISE World Series lands in Birmingham this weekend for what is shaping up to be one of the standout urban sports events of the year, bringing elite competition and festival energy to the city on a major international stage.
FISE Birmingham 2026 will take place over three days, August 7-9, in downtown Birmingham, hosted at the BJCC and the City Walk BHAM skatepark.
Each year, amateur and professional athletes from around 40 countries follow the FISE World Series stages hosted by emblematic cities, marking their commitment to youth and sports. The Magic City will be the only U.S. city on the global tour’s 2026 calendar, with athletes competing in skateboarding, BMX, basketball and other events.
“Birmingham is a city with soul, with ambition, and with a culture that naturally connects to what FISE represents,” said Hervé André-Benoît, CEO & Founder of the Hurricane Group, the organization behind the globally renowned FISE World Series. “This is not a one-shot event, we are here to build a long-term story with this city, its riders, and its communities.”
Following an electrifying opening round in Montpellier this past May, the UCI BMX Freestyle Park World Cup heads to Birmingham for its only U.S. stop of the 2026 season. Japan’s Rimu Nakamura arrives in Alabama wearing the leader’s crown after taking victory in Montpellier and will be looking to extend his advantage. He’ll face strong American competition from hometown favorites Marcus Christopher and Justin Dowell, who finished second and third respectively in France.
The UCI BMX Flatland World Cup also returns to action in Birmingham, with riders continuing their battle for valuable World Cup points as the overall standings begin to take shape.
Alongside the UCI competitions, Birmingham will host a FIBA 3×3 Challenger, one of only two Challenger events held in the United States this season. The tournament will bring together some of the world’s top teams, with the top three earning qualification for the FIBA 3×3 World Tour in Debrecen, Hungary.
The City Walk BHAM Skatepark will also welcome top international skateboarders for Street and Bowl competitions. Among the first confirmed athletes are Takuya Ishizuka, Pedro Quintas, Evon Martinez, Roman Hager, Mei Ozeki, and Margielyn Didal. The skateboarding competitions will be judged by an all-star panel featuring Boo Johnson, Alex Decunha, David Loy, Vanessa Torres, and Willy Santos, while Emile Janicot and Dominick Walker will serve as event MCs, keeping the energy high throughout the weekend.
This is the third major global sporting event hosted by Birmingham in the last few years. Last year, The Magic City welcomed the World Police and Fire Games. In 2022, Birmingham held The World Games.
Marcus Christopher, a BMX rider competing in the FISE Birmingham, said competing in events like this could help propel him back to the Olympics while also drawing attention to the city.
“It’s just the thrill and the adrenaline,” Christopher said. “I’m super excited for this contest. I’ve been doing these world series for a few years now and have yet to compete in America, so to be here in Birmingham is going to be amazing.”
What to expect?
Live Finals: Heart-pounding champions finals with the world’s best extreme athletes.
Music & DJ Sets: High-energy concerts and DJ sets all weekend long, including Live music from LA-based pop band Honey Revenge and rapper Kenny Mason.
Open Sessions: You can come and watch or ride. Open skatepark sessions all weekend!
Food & Drink: Food trucks, alcoholic drinks, street culture, art and good vibes everywhere.
The FISE World Series is scheduled to take place August 7-9 at City Walk, hosting BMX freestyle, skateboarding, and 3-on-3 basketball competitions. For tickets and to learn more, visit www.fiseworldseries.com.
