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Zwift Racing League
22nd September 2026 - 6th April 2027
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Rules & Scoring

Details Currently Updated Daily!

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Registration for Round 1 of the 2026/27 ZRL season closes 2026-09-18T23:00:00+00:00.

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  1. Race Times
  2. Rider Category System
  3. Development Leagues
  4. Formats & Scoring
  5. ZRL Tech Guide & Rules
  6. Reporting Unfair Play
ZRL 2026 R1 League Times
100+ races make ZRL Tuesdays Epic!
ZRL 2026 R1 League Times

There’s a race time for you and your crew in both Open and Women’s competitions.

Click the image, find your nearest city and check out all the race times on offer — ZRL takes over Tuesdays!

Looking for a league or time that isnt listed? Get in touch and we'll see if we can add it to the schedule.

Please Note: there is a minimum requirement of 2 teams to make a division viable and where a division is viable, your team's actual start time may vary by as much as +/-20 minutes.

REGISTRATION DATES
Round 1: August 18 - September 18, 2026 (runs Sept 22 to Oct 27)
Round 2: September 19 - November 14, 2026 (runs Nov 17 to Dec 22)
Round 3: November 15, 2026 - January 8, 2027 (runs Jan 12 to Feb 16)
Round 4: January 9 - April 2, 2027 (runs Mar 2 to Apr 6)

Log In to Register a Team
RIDER CATEGORIES

ZRL uses Zwift's zFTP and zMAP based Pace Group Category system.
A rider's category for each race is determined at the moment they cross the start line.

No Category or Race History
  • Riders without a Pace Group Category cannot be invited to a team.
  • They should complete two or more competitive races of at least 30 minutes before joining a team.
  • This ensures their category reflects actual racing ability.
Category Enforcement & Power Thresholds
  • Riders exceeding the zFTP or zMAP limits for a division cannot sign up or join that team’s race.
  • This ensures fair competition within appropriate ability levels.
Exceeding Limits During Races
  • Riders who exceed zFTP or zMAP thresholds during a race will incur points-based penalties.
  • They will also be ineligible to race with their team in future events within that division.
Category Upgrades Mid-Round (3-Race-Rule)
  • If a rider upgrades to a higher Pace Group Category than what their ZRL Division allows, they cannot race in that Division anymore — unless they qualify under the 3-Race Upgrade Rule (formerly the 50% Rule).
  • Category upgrades are not permitted in DEVELOPMENT LEAGUES and therefore the 3-race-rule does not apply to participants in these divisions. Development Leagues have strict zMAP and zFTP limits.
  • If a rider upgrades in category, they may continue racing with their current team for the remainder of the round only if:
    1. They complete 3 races with their team in the round.
    2. They do not receive a Code 6, 7 or 8 DQ during those 3 races.
    3. They upgrade category after those 3 races.
  • Races are counted per team not per rider. So a rider completing 2 races with 1 team and 1 race with another has not completed 3 races with a single team.
  • Any rider continuing to race under the 3-Race-Rule is:
    1. Not permitted to race with another team in a Division whose category is below their new category.
    2. Is still subject to all zMAP and zFTP limits on their division and can still earn a Code 6 or 7 DQ.
  • This policy reflects the natural progression of performance over a racing season.

More info on Zwift Category Enforcement is available in the WTRL Help Center.

Note: In Open and Men's leagues, zFTP and zMAP are also subject to a minimum wattage floor.

Teams can choose to compete in either Standard or Development divisions. Learn more here.

STANDARD Open Divisions STANDARD Women's Divisions
Div A Pace Group (Zwift Category) A
zFTPW ≥250W
zFTPW/kg ≥4.2w/kg
zMAPW/kg ≥5.1w/kg 		Womens Category (Pace Group) A
zFTP ≥3.88w/kg
zMAP ≥4.8w/kg
Div B Pace Group (Zwift Category) B
zFTPW ≥200W
zFTPW/kg <4.2w/kg
zMAPW/kg <5.1w/kg 		Womens Category (Pace Group) B
zFTP <3.88w/kg
zMAP <4.8w/kg
Div C Pace Group (Zwift Category) C
zFTPW ≥150W
zFTPW/kg <3.36w/kg
zMAPW/kg <4.1w/kg 		Womens Category (Pace Group) C
zFTP <3.36w/kg
zMAP <4.1w/kg
Div D Pace Group (Zwift Category) D
zFTPW/kg <2.63w/kg
zMAPW/kg <3.2w/kg 		Womens Category (Pace Group) D
zFTP <2.63w/kg
zMAP <3.2w/kg
STANDARD VS DEVELOPMENT DIVISIONS

Teams may register in either a Standard or Development division within each Pace Group Category.

  • Standard: Riders can compete up to the full limits of the category.
  • Development: Aimed at the lower 60% of each category (based on zFTP/zMAP). Great for riders on the rise or anyone who wants a fair shot without facing the top-end beasts.

Development divisions reduce the intimidation factor, encourage progression, and provide tighter, fairer racing—especially for those near the bottom or middle of a category.

It's like splitting the field into Upper and Lower Tiers (think C1 and C2) but now with enforced upper limits for Development.

Teams will see both options during registration and where enough entries exist, one or more Development Divisions will operate for that league. Choose what suits your riders best.

Riders who exceed the development division limits cannot enter those races, but can still compete in the standard divisions.

DEVELOPMENT
Open Divisions		 DEVELOPMENT
Women's Divisions
ADEV zFTP < 4.37W/kg + ≥250W
zMAP < 5.33W/kg + ≥250W		 zFTP < 4.36W/kg
zMAP < 5.29W/kg
BDEV zFTP < 3.74 W/kg + ≥200W
zMAP < 4.53W/kg + ≥200W		 zFTP < 3.74W/kg
zMAP < 4.53W/kg
CDEV zFTP < 3.08W/kg + ≥150W
zMAP < 3.68 W/kg + ≥150W		 zFTP < 3.08 W/kg
zMAP < 3.68 W/kg
DDEV zFTP: < 2.40W/kg
zMAP: < 2.83W/kg		 zFTP: < 2.40W/kg
zMAP: < 2.83W/kg
RACE FORMATS & SCORING
Team Time Trials

A ZRL Team Time Trial is the ultimate test of a team's strength, endurance and ability. Teams depart at 1 minute intervals with the sole objective to reach the finish line in the fastest possible time. A team will need to utilize every member in order to achieve this, carefully planning the 'order of pull' and ensuring a tight pace line to maximize both speed and draft savings.

TTT-specific Rules:

  • 4 Team Members MUST finish as each team's time is taken from the 4th rider to cross the finish line.
  • Teams finishing with fewer than 4 team members will not be able to achieve a time or earn League Points.
  • ZRL TTT rules strictly prohibit drafting from outside your own team. Dropped riders must not tag onto passing teams - even if it's tempting. It’s against the rules, frustrates other teams, and can incur time penalties.
  • Teams should ensure overtake manoeuvres are executed cleanly and with as little disruption to other teams/riders as possible.
  • Dropped riders are welcome to complete the route but must not join, draft or otherwise interfere with any other team.

TTT Scoring:

  • A Teams final time is taken from the 4TH rider to cross the finish line.
  • There are no individual rider points available for Team Time Trials.
  • LEAGUE POINTS are issued based on ranked final times
  • Teams with fewer than 4 finishing riders receive 0 League Points and are considered DNQ (Does Not Qualify).
Points Races & Race of Truth

ZRL Points races require a great deal of strategy and teamwork. Unless otherwise specified, ALL segments that a race transitions through are included for scoring. The majority of points available during a race are very much focused on the segments (intermediates) and there are various different types of rider points available as detailed below.

Segment/Intermediate Scoring:

First Across The Line (FAL):

  • ALL riders score points based on the order they cross the finish line of each segment per lap.
  • 1st place on EACH PASS receives a number of points equivalent to the number of riders starting the race.
  • EXAMPLE: 70 riders start: 1st place = 70 points, 2nd place = 69 points and so on down to 70th place = 1 point.
  • If a race features multiple laps, each pass of each segment has its own points allocation.
  • FAL points won by Riders who do not complete their race or who are disqualified do not cascade down to other riders. The points are effectively removed from the race and do not count for anyone.

Fastest Through a Segment (FTS):

  • The overall 10 fastest times recorded on each segment score.
  • FTS are not 'per segment per lap per rider', they are 'per segment per time per race'.
  • The top 10 times per segment per race score as 1st=15 Rider points, 2nd=12 points, 3rd=10 points, 4th=8 points, 5th=6 points, 6th=5 points, 7th=4 points, 8th=3 points, 9th=2 points and 10th=1 point.
  • If a race features multiple laps, a rider could record multiple times that appear in the overall top 10 for that segment and therefore scores multiple times.
  • FTS points won by Riders who do not complete their race or who are disqualified do not cascade down to other riders. The points are effectively removed from the race and do not count for anyone.

Finish Line Points (FIN):

  • Awarded based on the order of race completion/finish (at the finish line).
  • 1st place receives a number of points equivalent to the number of riders starting the race.
  • EXAMPLE: 50 riders cross the start line: 1st place = 50 Rider points down to 50th place = 1 point.
  • A rider MUST cross the finish line to be awarded FIN points.

Podium Bonus Points:

  • Awarded to the top 5 finishers in each race.
  • These are awarded as 10 points for 1st place, 8 points for 2nd place, 6 points for 3rd place, 4 points for 4th place and 2 points for 5th place.
  • Podium Bonus points are in addition to FAL, FTS and FIN points
Scratch Races

The oldest and most traditional racing format - a flat out race to the finish line.

Finish Line Points (FIN):

  • Awarded solely on the order each rider crosses the finish line.
  • 1st place receives a number of points equivalent to the number of riders starting the race.
  • If 50 riders start, 1st place receives 50 points, 2nd place 49 points and so on down to 50th place who receives 1 point.
  • EXAMPLE: 50 riders cross the start line : 1st place will be awarded 50 Rider points down to 50th place receiving 1 point.
  • A rider MUST cross the finish line to be awarded FIN points.

Podium Bonus Points:

  • Awarded to the top 5 finishers in each race.
  • These are awarded as 10 points for 1st place, 8 points for 2nd place, 6 points for 3rd place, 4 points for 4th place and 2 points for 5th place.
  • Podium Bonus points are in addition to FAL, FTS and FIN points
League Points
  • Awarded for each race based on the ranking of all teams total rider points earned (Points & Scratch races) OR finish time (Team Time Trials).
  • 1st place receives a number of points equivalent to the number of teams starting the race.
  • EXAMPLE: If 12 teams start, 1st place receives 12 points, 2nd place 11 points and so on down to 12th place who receives 1 point.
  • Team Time Trials: A team MUST have 4 undisqualified riders cross the finish line. Teams with fewer than 4 finishers do not score.
  • Points and Scratch races: A team MUST have 4 team members cross the START line to be awarded full league points. Teams starting with 3 racing members will receive League points but are ranked AFTER those teams with 4+ riders. Teams with fewer than 3 riders do not earn league points.
  • Rankings and therefore league points are allocated based on a sorting order of Total Points (highest to lowest), FIN points, FAL points, FTS points, the time taken from the team's 4th rider (TTTs) or 1st rider (Points & Scratch formats).
ZWIFT RACING LEAGUE TECHNICAL GUIDE & RULES

The Zwift Racing League operates under the Zwift Racing League Rules and Zwift eSports Rules which are based on UCI regulations for road racing and adapted for virtual racing on Zwift.

Current: Zwift Racing League Technical Guide & Rules v26.1.0 (August 2026)

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Reporting Unfair Play

The Zwift Racing League has been designed to provide both fun and fair competition as well as to grow the Zwift Racing community in an inclusive manner. WTRL and Zwift do work hard in the background to enforce the rules and ensure that our aims are met.

We would like to remind all competitors and teams that social media is not the place to be raising concerns on the legitimacy of riders, teams or a competition and there are official channels to report any suspicious performances.

The official channels are as follows:

Zwift Reporting Contact WTRL

PLEASE NOTE To maintain the privacy of our members, we won’t be able to update you on the outcome of your report. Please rest assured that we will investigate each concern fully.

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2026/27 Round 1 - Race 1
Date: 22nd September 2026
Format: TBC
Recon Rides: Click here

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