DOHA, Qatar-Union Cyclist International / UCI announced today that Houston, Texas, has been selected as the site of the 2020 UCI BMX World Championships. The Harris County - Houston Sports Authority worked in conjunction with the United States Olympic Committee, USA Cycling, USA BMX and Greenspoint Redevelopment Authority to present the winning bid to the UCI.

The Championship event will take place May 26-May 31, 2020 at North Houston Bike Park. North Houston Bike Park, currently under construction, is part of a 30-acre extreme sports complex including a world-class BMX Race Track, concrete vert features, street course, pump tracks, tot track, bike trails and an outdoor events center that can seat approximately 3,500 guests. Janis Burke, Harris County - Houston Sports Authority, CEO said, "We are incredibly excited to be awarded the UCI BMX World Championships. Houston's brand-new North Houston Bike Park is truly impressive with great offerings and appealing fan fest areas than can be utilized in the green spaces surrounding the park. We are looking forward to building our cycling community with these facilities."

Adjacent to the Bike complex is North Houston Skate Park, the largest skate park in North America, featuring over 78,000 square feet of skateable surface, and Dylan Park, a park designed for children of varying abilities. The skate park had over 120,000 visitors this year, including skaters from 23 different countries. Sally Bradford, Executive Director of the Greenspoint Redevelopment Authority, said, "We are excited to host this incredible event and invite the world to enjoy this wonderful complex."

"I have no doubt that Houston will provide an exquisite route for riders to compete on, as well as provide outstanding hospitality to the athletes and guests," said Derek Bouchard-Hall, President / CEO of USA Cycling.

"USA BMX is absolutely thrilled that the UCI BMX World Championships will once again return to the US," stated USA BMX CEO, Bernard Anderson. "The North Houston Bike Park is going to be revolutionary in action sports and the participants of the World Championships will be treated to both an amazing venue and incredible Texas hospitality. We look forward to welcoming the world's best BMX riders to Houston."

BMX is cycling's newest Olympic discipline and is experiencing outstanding growth. Its popularity is widespread and UCI BMX World Championships have been organized in countries on five different continents. US Olympic Committee CEO, Scott Blackmun, said, "The USOC has worked diligently to be a meaningful partner in the worldwide Olympic Movement and the Harris County - Houston Sports Authority has been a great partner in this effort. I look forward to working with them in the run-up to 2020 UCI BMX World Championships."

The UCI BMX World Championships are held annually to crown a BMX World Cycling Champion and are expected to bring 3,000 amateur participants and 300 professional athletes from over 40 countries. Participants and their families are estimated to stay an average of 10 days in Houston. The UCI BMX World Championships will be the last stop before the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.