Competition Format

Cycle Ball is a discipline similar to football, played on bicycles by teams of two riders: a goalkeeper and a field player.

Matches are played on a 14 × 11 metre court over 14 minutes, divided into two 7-minute halves. If the score remains tied after regulation time and, if required, extra time, a penalty shootout may be used to determine the winner.

Players control and strike the ball using either the front or rear wheel of their bicycle, as well as with their head. The goalkeeper is the only player permitted to use their hands within the penalty area. Any player who puts a foot on the ground must first return to their own goal line before rejoining play.

The bicycles are specially designed for the discipline, featuring no brakes, no gears, and a specialised handlebar that allows riders to move both forwards and backwards, improving responsiveness and facilitating movement, passing and shooting.

The UCI Cycle Ball World Championships feature two Leagues: an Elite League, bringing together the highest-ranked national teams, and a Challenger League, designed for developing nations. The competition is held over several phases, including a group stage, a second round with cross-over matches, semi-finals, classification matches, and the final.