The Belgian government will impose additional taxes on everything related to ‘sports and recreation’ starting in 2026. Does that immediately mean that cyclocross ticket prices will skyrocket?
First, let’s take a look at the current situation. How much do you actually pay to attend a cyclocross race? Those prices are surprisingly reasonable. The most expensive race is also the most logical.
The Cyclocross World Championships (held this season in Hulst, the Netherlands) charge a day ticket price of 35 euros on the day the elite men compete for their title. The day before, you pay 20 euros to watch the elite women’s race. The World Championships stand out in this way, as all other ticket prices are below 25 euros.
If you want to soon attend a Belgian race in the Superprestige or X2O Badkamers Trofee, you will generally pay around 17 euros for advance tickets. Of course, there are exceptions, like Gullegem, which keeps prices at 14 euros, or the new race in Hofstade, which asks for a 22-euro entrance fee. The latter also offers an additional competition with the Turbo Cross. All Belgian World Cups charge around 20 euros for entry.
It is always beneficial to order tickets in advance through the organizers’ websites. This saves you 3 to 5 euros compared to the day price charged at the event itself.
Nys draws large crowds to cyclocross – photo: Photopress Cor Vos
Hardly any increase
What stands out is that since the coronavirus pandemic, ticket prices in cyclocross have barely increased, whereas in recent years other events like football matches, concerts, and cinema visits have seen price hikes. “We have consciously tried to keep it stable,” explains Christophe Impens, managing director at Golazo and organizer of Exact Cross and X2O Badkamers Trofee.
One difference from many other leisure activities that contributes to this is that ticket sales are not even the biggest source of income for cyclocross organizers. “Sponsorship is the main revenue source. By far, even,” says Impens. “At a true top-level race like Loenhout it might be a bit different, because last year we had 15,800 people on site. Then ticket sales naturally do matter.”
“On the other hand, there are also many races that attract around 4,000 spectators. They have to rely much more on sponsorship,” adds the Golazo executive.
Sponsorship more important
What could possibly cause a shift in ticket sales is the Belgian government’s decision to increase the tax on ‘sports and recreation’ from 6% to 12% starting in 2026. According to Flemish media, this would lead to ticket price increases for events. Whether this will also be the case in cyclocross, Impens cannot confirm or deny at this time.
He does say the following, however: “Cyclocross must always remain a family-friendly event. Families are a target group we absolutely want to reach, and that means we have to maintain affordable prices,” says the businessman. “Of course, prices at a World Cup or a big championship will occasionally be higher, but otherwise everything stays below 20 euros.”
