Greater Shepparton City Council has wrapped up another massive week of sport, with the 2026 GWM BMX Racing National Championships concluding on Saturday 18 April.
More than 5,000 visitors descended on Greater Shepparton for the national titles, which featured elite and amateur athletes and marked one of the most significant events on the annual Australian BMX calendar.
Hosted at the Shepparton BMX track, the event showcased recent upgrades completed last year, delivering an enhanced experience for athletes and spectators while reinforcing Greater Shepparton's reputation as the sporting and events capital of regional Australia.
The event also delivered a significant economic boost to the region, estimated to be more than $6 million, generating strong visitation, increased hospitality demand and local spending.
Mayor, Cr Shane Sali, said the national championships delivered significant benefits for Greater Shepparton.
"The strong turnout at the BMX track throughout the week reflected the community's support for local talent and excitement around elite‑level racing," he said.
"With more than 2,000 participants and 5,000 visitors, there was a strong increase in activity across our local businesses, visitor attractions, accommodation sector, cafes and hospitality providers," he said.
"Driving through the town you can see the impact that the event has had on the region with all the no vacancy signs up, Greater Shepparton has been bustling with visitors over the last ten nights which highlights the magnitude of hosting such a prestigious event."
Several business owners and operators have reported positive results, with strong visitation experienced during the event.
"We have been full right across the ten days thanks to the Frisbee and BMX events, which has been really good for our business,'' Sherbourne Terrace owner, Nick Zurcas said.
"We feel that we are back pre-Covid figures. Our bistro has been going strong, where we are seeing visitors who are here for events coming to our venue," GV Hotel co-owner, John Buzzo said.
"Our bistro has been busy. Without the event we would probably do 80-100 meals on a standard day, but we had 220 booked in one night during the BMX event," Peppermill Inn Manager, Todd Van Kerkhof said.
On Thursday, Mayor Sali announced that Shepparton will host two rounds of the UCI BMX Racing World Cup in 2028, the world's premier BMX racing series. The international event will also be held at the Shepparton BMX track.
The UCI BMX Racing World Cup will be a key event for the world's best athletes as they prepare for the 2028 LA Olympic Games. Supported by AusCycling and Visit Victoria, Council will host the world‑class event and welcome thousands of professional athletes and BMX fans from across the globe.
The announcement was made alongside Saya Sakakibara, Olympic gold medalist and Australian BMX racing champion, and Hayden Fletcher, Shepparton BMX club member and the 2025 Australian elite BMX racing champion, who both competed in last week's national championships.
"Last week showed that Shepparton is well positioned to host major sporting events. We are now taking this to the next level by securing an internationally renowned competition," Mayor Sali said.
"This event will profile Greater Shepparton as a must‑see destination, not only across Australia but also around the world."
"Council is committed to providing opportunities for the community to participate in sport at a grassroots level, while also attracting major events that inspire our community, support local businesses and deliver long-term economic benefits for Greater Shepparton."
Click here for more details about the World Cup announcement.
