Bologna, January 10, 2017 – The global economic powerhouses of Berlin and London join the international circuit of the Longines Global Champions Tour and Global Champions League in 2017.
The arrival of the two dynamic capital cities continues the strategic expansion of the world’s premier show jumping series and heralds an electrifying season of top sporting entertainment in some of the world’s greatest destinations.
The sport’s top athletes will once again compete for championship honours and the highest prize money in show jumping, captivating increasing numbers of fans and TV and digital viewers worldwide. Individual and team competitions will play out in 12 countries and span the continents of Asia, The Americas and Europe.
Eurosport will once again provide coverage of the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix at every event and the international news channel CNN will broadcast news and features from all the events in 2017.
All the drama and intensity of the sport will be broadcast on GCT TV and GCL TV live streaming with expert analysis and commentary from our team of specialists and exclusive behind-the-scenes features and interviews.
The curtain will go up on the 2017 season in Mexico City (6-9 April) with high octane jumping at 2,000 metres above sea level, before heading directly to the shores of the Atlantic Ocean and the stunning destination of Miami Beach (13-15 April).
The action then moves to China and the ground-breaking event in Shanghai (28-30 April), where growing numbers of Chinese fans are attracted to thrilling equestrian sport and the elegant lifestyle of the event.
Leaving Asia the Longines Global Champions Tour travels to Europe and the beautiful Spanish capital of Madrid (18-21 May) followed by the hugely popular Hamburg event in Germany (24-28 May) where almost 90,000 fans enjoyed the show jumping spectacular last year.
In June the series travels to France and the glamorous Mediterranean destination of Cannes (8-10 June) before gliding along the Riviera to Monaco (23-25 June) and the stunning venue alongside the famous yacht harbour.
In 2017 the Longines Global Champions Tour – Longines Paris Eiffel Jumping returns to the iconic Champ de Mars with the unique backdrop of the Eiffel Tower in the French capital city of Paris (30 June-2 July). The 4th edition of the prestigious show will see the world’s top riders battling for supremacy at the stylish event fusing top sport, gastronomy, art and culture.
The Portuguese Riviera beckons in July and the lush grass arena in Cascais, Estoril (6-8 July) followed by the magical event in Chantilly (13-16 July) in the grounds of the fairytale Chateau.
Berlin (28-30 July) makes its debut on the circuit adding another dynamic capital city and a chance for new fans to experience top-level show jumping in a city centre venue. The German capital is also the largest city in the country, steeped in history with famous monuments including the Berlin Wall and the Brandenburg Gate. Berlin’s vibrant cultural scene makes it one of the most visited cities in the world.
London (3-6 August) re-joins the calendar in 2017 with a prestigious new venue in the heart of the British capital at the historic Royal Hospital Chelsea. The sought-after location on the River Thames is steeped in history and has connections with Britain’s Royal Family. It is close to Knightsbridge and London’s West End, is home to the Chelsea Pensioners and the site of the world famous Chelsea Flower Show.
The stunning facility of Tops International Arena in Valkenswaard (10-13 August) will bring world class show jumping to the heart of Europe. The luxurious, purpose-built venue is one of the foremost equestrian destinations in the world and the immaculate grass arena will host multiple events for young riders and young horses in May and July culminating in the Longines Global Champions Tour in August.
With the season approaching its climax, the breathtaking Italian capital city of Rome (21-24 September) will once again delight thousands of fans with intense competition at the Stadio dei Marmi. Encircled by classical statues and overlooked by the Olympic Stadium, the Italian leg of the circuit attracts a passionate crowd and guests from across the world.
The grand finale unfolds at the magnificent, state-of-the-art Al Shaqab Equestrian Facility in Qatar’s capital city Doha (9-11 November). The superb structure and its vast floodlit arena will once again be the special final stage for the crowning of the champions of both the Longines Global Champions Tour and Global Champions League.
Fans will be hoping for sporting drama to last until the final leg repeating the excitement of 2016 when Rolf-Goran Bengtsson claimed the individual championship of the Longines Global Champions Tour and team Valkenswaard United won the Global Champions League. It was a season of knife-edge jump-offs and superlative performances as the level of the sport once again reached new heights.
The scene is set for another tremendous season in the international spotlight as the world’s top show jumping athletes chase sporting glory and record prize money in 2017.
