Zwift adds new roads, planning tools, outdoor integration and more to help riders get more in 2026. Enjoy gravel, more of Paris, new bikes and better training tools.
If you’re like me, you’ve probably already been spending a lot of time on Zwift since we started losing evening light in the fall. Now with longer days to ride, I’m getting outside, but I still find myself on the platform to better maintain my training calendar around a busy schedule.
From planning in Zwift Companion, more levels to chase in both running and cycling as well as a dedicated event map for gravel, I’m really looking to do more on the platform this season.
Personalized Recommendations Go Outdoors
Launching in April
If you spend any time on Zwift, you’ve probably already noticed Personalized Recommendations – a recently launched feature that helps guide your training based on recent activities. Based on a combination of your recent ride history, and preferred activity types, every Zwifter now receives a recommended next activity in the ‘Next Up’ card in Zwift Companion. Personalized Recommendations will serve a variety of content, including workouts, Robopacer Rides, Routes, and workouts.
As the days get longer, you can now view recommendations for outdoor rides in the Zwift Companion app. This will be a basic guide to advise how to get the most from your next activity. Simplicity is the name of the game here, giving Zwifters the space to make the most of those sunny summer miles!
Plan Your Week in Zwift Companion
Coming this April
I know that it’s hard for me to stick to a training plan. Zwift has now added the ability to plan your week in Zwift Companion. At launch, Zwifters you’ll be able to schedule bike workouts, bike routes, bike and run events, Robopacer Rides and challenge tasks (e.g. Route of the Week) for the days ahead. As activities are added to the weekly calendar, the fitness graph on the Zwift Companion app homescreen will automatically show all future planned activities so you can see what’s ahead at a glance. And if you have third party training connections, planned workouts will automatically populate.
If you don’t want to be so rigid, you can plan just a few activities, and your personalized recommendations will adjust around your plans. For instance, if you have a race scheduled for tomorrow, Zwift can tailor a workout to prime your legs.
Zwift Camp: Breakthrough: April 6th – May 17th
The final Zwift Camp of the winter season arrives with Zwift Camp: Breakthrough. Beginning April 6th, Zwift Camp: Breakthrough is designed to support Zwifters in their transition to the summer season. The five workouts will focus not only on fitness but also features drills to improve technique, stability and control. The end result should be strong, smoother outdoor miles for Zwifters.
Configure Your HUD For Workouts
Whether participating in Zwift Camp: Breakthrough, or completing any one of Zwift’s 1,000+ workouts, the ability to customise data fields in workout mode is sure to level up the experience. Coming in May, four configurable data fields can will be available on on the central workout screen. You’ll be able to pick from 13 biometric data points ranging from Cadence (RPM) to Core Temperature or power to weight ratio (W/KG). This update will allow you to tailor your data inputs, so you can focus on what’s best for you and get the most out of your training.
Gravel Mountain: April 6th
Zwift’s first gravel only map comes to Zwift on April 6th. An event-only map, Gravel Mountain will be the fastest, most exciting way to experience gravel on Zwift – expect dust, speed and loose lines.
Set in a red rock environment with new route features including red rock medians, corner berms and ultra-wide roads. The full gravel surface means gravel bikes will be optimal, so why not pay the Zwift Drop Shop and enjoy a new virtual bike day to celebrate the launch of Gravel Mountain.
PAS Racing Series: April 6th – May 3rd
The fastest and most dynamic racing experience on Zwift starts with the PAS Racing Series which brings the performance and style of Pas Normal Studios to a new kind of gravel racing on Zwift: tough, competitive and refined. The four stage gravel series includes the new routes in Gravel Mountain and a new gravel route in Makuri Islands. Races will run hourly, and of course there will be a custom Pas Normal kit to unlock.
More Levels for Running and Cycling
Every Zwifter knows how compelling it is to round up their rides to the nearest mile or kilometre – not for bragging rights, but for that extra XP. Chasing levels is incredibly rewarding and now there’s more to chase than ever before, no matter your Zwift level. The level 100 cap has been lifted, giving Zwifter hundreds of new levels to chase. And for those Zwifters who have hit that century milestone, there is a new status stripe, visible in the rider name list and in Zwift Companion. Runners on Zwift will also see the level cap lifted from 30 to 50.
Tour Fever Challenge: July 2nd – August 16th
Zwift is the official software platform for the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, and to celebrate there will be six weeks of festivity as we all get swept up in Tour Fever. Running July 2nd – August 16th, the Tour Fever Challenge celebrates the summer of racing with five stages of rides and races to enjoy. The Tour Fever Challenge includes five new badges to chase in the Paris Map.
Paris Expansion: Launching June 26th
The Paris map, created for the Virtual Tour de France, is set to become even more iconic with the addition of the famous Montmartre climb. Mimicking the new finishing circuit of the Tour de France, which has proven popular with fans since it was introduced for the Paris Olympics, Zwifters will now be able to ride up the cobbled climb to the Basilique du Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre. Short but punchy, this will be sure to put a sting in the legs.
Drop Shop Update: Spring / Summer
I love to update my bike in Zwift almost as much as I love to update my real bikes. This year, the Drop Shop – Swift’s virtual bike shop – gets its biggest overhaul yet, with a wealth of new bikes and wheels arriving over the next 12 months. This Spring and Summer, 18 new bikes and 13 new wheelsets are set to hit the virtual shelves. The first two ‘Drops’ land in March and April with a distinct gravel focus, giving Zwifters the chance to kit themselves out with the latest tech for the launch of Gravel Mountain and Pas Normal Racing Series.
Zwift Challenges Go Outdoors: Summer
Zwift Challenges, with their bonus rewards for completion, have proven to be immensely popular experiences on the Zwift platform. This summer, the fun doesn’t have to stop as cyclists enjoy the great outdoors, as Zwift plans to launch its first indoor/outdoor challenges. To complete, Zwifters will need to have connected their Wahoo, Garmin, or Hammerhead accounts.
Ron is the chief cook and bottlewasher at Bike World News, doing everything from website design to bike reviews.
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Current Bike Quiver:
Bird Bikes Zero 29 29″ hardtail mountain bike
Commencal Absolut 26″ Dirt Jump/Pump Track bike
Commencal Tempo 29″ full suspension mountain bike
Felt ZA 700c race bike
Kona Kilauea vintage 26″ mountain bike
Niner RLT9 700c road/gravel bike
Specialized Stumpjumper vintage 26″ mountain bike
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