Zwift has quietly shifted gears on its racing strategy. While there’s no formal boilerplate statement, the platform has confirmed it will no longer organize or bankroll elite-level esports racing the way it once did. That means no prize money, no big-budget broadcasts, and no independently governed elite leagues, such as the Zwift World Series. But after the Esports Worlds and USA Cycling Esports Nationals changed to MyWhoosh, most Zwifters saw the writing on the wall, but most didn’t bat an eye.
For a platform that helped spark cycling’s esports boom, it’s a notable pivot during the Covid era; it’s a big hit in prestige. But Zwift’s reasoning is clear: producing elite-level racing, complete with performance verification, media partnerships, and prize pools, is expensive. Keeping that momentum rolling wasn’t sustainable. Escape Collective dropped the scoop on Monday: the Zwift Games are moving forward, but this time without an elite category on the start list.
Zwift: What’s Staying, What’s Going?
Community racing remains the backbone of Zwift, and that isn’t changing. You can race pretty much any time and day. The Zwift Racing League has already re-launched with an improved ranking system to better match riders, plus new anti-botting (robo-doping) tech to keep events fair. More than 30,000 riders participate in Zwift races each year, and that’s where the company sees the greatest value: racing that’s broad, accessible, and fun, not confined to a handful of pros or robots.
High-profile events like the Zwift Games will still feature an advanced category for elite riders, but don’t expect cash purses or glossy livestreams. Instead, Zwift is putting the spotlight back on the riders who make up the majority of its base, the community racers.
The Zwift Academy Pause
This pivot also comes as Zwift Academy, the program that created a genuine WorldTour pathway for riders like Jay Vine (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and Neve Bradbury (Canyon-SRAM), takes a one-year pause.
Zwift has confirmed the Academy isn’t dead; it’s slated to return in 2026 for its 10th anniversary, with a bigger emphasis on talent identification and a revamped finals production. Since its inception, the Academy has drawn tens of thousands of riders globally, ultimately producing riders who went on to win at the highest level.
From the Top Down to the Bottom Up
Zwift’s esports racing story has been a wild ride—from hosting the first UCI Cycling Esports World Championships in 2020 to seeing that event move to MyWhoosh in 2024. But as the esports spotlight drifts elsewhere, Zwift is doubling down on its roots: accessibility.
That’s the philosophy now, a bottom-up approach. Instead of pouring resources into elite-only broadcasts, Zwift wants to grow the base, give more riders access to structured racing, and let the stars emerge organically.
Where To Go From Here?
For longtime Zwift racers, the change might sting. No prize money, no Academy finals in 2025, no elite league to watch. However, in the broader context, Zwift is betting that its future lies in the sheer scale of its community. The platform put indoor racing on the map, helped launch real pro careers, and built a space where anyone could line up against the best.
Now, it’s re-centering on that “anyone” part. Zwift is launching new gear that is solid for riders of all levels and budgets. Hopefully, it will usher in more riders into the sport. Elite racing may take a back seat, but the community keeps rolling—and for Zwift, that’s the lane they’re choosing to drive into.
