Deer Valley Resort is set to become the center of the American downhill mountain biking world this September after being selected to host the 2026 Fox US Open of Mountain Biking, the championship finale of the Official U.S. National Mountain Bike Championship series.
The three-day event, scheduled for Sept. 11-13, will bring professional, amateur, youth, and adaptive athletes to Deer Valley's renowned bike park terrain, with organizers expecting approximately 10,000 spectators and competitors throughout the weekend.
For Deer Valley, the event represents another significant milestone in the resort's continued growth as one of North America's premier lift-served mountain biking destinations.
"We look forward to welcoming athletes and spectators to the Fox US Open of Mountain Biking at Deer Valley Resort," said Deer Valley Resort President and Chief Operating Officer Todd Bennett. "Visitation to our world-class downhill terrain continues to grow, and hosting this premier event gives us the opportunity to showcase our extensive trail system, bike park, and rider amenities to a captive mountain biking audience."
The race marks the first time Deer Valley has hosted the Fox US Open, though the resort is no stranger to elite-level mountain bike competition.
Long before Utah became one of the country's most recognizable cycling destinations, Deer Valley was helping build that reputation. The resort has hosted numerous national and international mountain bike events over the years and remains one of the most established lift-served bike parks in the United States.
Its selection as the championship finale venue reflects both the growth of the sport and Utah's increasing importance within the mountain biking landscape.
"Utah has proven to be an important stage for downhill in the U.S., so it makes a lot of sense for us to bring the US Open here," said Pro Downhill Series General Manager Clay Harper. "Deer Valley is a great venue with a history of hosting iconic downhill races."
Harper added that organizers are currently working alongside the resort on an updated championship course for the event.
"We're excited to work together in creating an updated track for the 2026 Fox US Open of Mountain Biking, and our team is looking forward to sharing more details in the near future."
The Fox US Open serves as the culmination of the 2026 Monster Energy Pro Downhill Series presented by Continental, a five-stop championship featuring some of the world's top downhill racers.
The series begins in North Carolina before making stops in New Jersey, Utah's Solitude Mountain Resort, and California's Big Bear Lake. By the time riders arrive at Deer Valley in September, overall series championships and national titles could be on the line.
The event's marquee competition, the Pro Finals, will take place Saturday, Sept. 12.
Downhill mountain biking remains one of the sport's most adrenaline-fueled disciplines, with riders descending steep, technical terrain at high speeds while navigating jumps, rock gardens, drops, and other obstacles against the clock.
The discipline has experienced significant growth in recent years, fueled by expanding bike park infrastructure, increased media exposure, and a growing pipeline of young American riders competing on the international stage.
That momentum has been especially noticeable in Utah.
Already known globally for its road cycling routes and extensive trail systems, the state has increasingly emerged as a hub for gravity-based mountain biking. Resorts throughout the Wasatch Mountains have invested heavily in bike parks, trail networks, and summer operations, helping transform mountain biking into a major component of Utah's outdoor recreation economy.
Few places embody that evolution more than Deer Valley.
The resort's summer operation has expanded dramatically over the past decade, attracting riders from across North America who come to experience its extensive network of downhill and cross-country trails. Lift-served access allows riders to maximize downhill runs while taking advantage of terrain designed for everyone from first-time riders to elite competitors.
The Fox US Open provides Deer Valley with an opportunity to showcase those assets to a national audience.
It also arrives during a period of significant growth for the resort.
Deer Valley officially launches its 2026 summer season on June 19, with an exclusive preview weekend for season passholders scheduled for June 13-14. Summer offerings include lift-served mountain biking, hiking, scenic chairlift rides, and a range of pass products designed to encourage repeat visitation throughout the season.
Resort officials are promoting expanded operating hours, Twilight Wednesday programming, and additional on-mountain value as part of this year's summer experience.
While the Fox US Open remains several months away, the announcement is already generating excitement within the mountain biking community.
Championship finales tend to carry additional drama as season-long battles come to a head, and the combination of Deer Valley's terrain, Utah's passionate cycling culture, and the stakes associated with the national championship series could make September's event one of the most significant mountain bike races held in the state this year.