Worcester

PMC 2026 • August 1 & 2

The PMC Is Moving to Worcester

In 2026, the prior Sturbridge start moves to the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass., where we will have expanded space and resources.

The final ride from the Sturbridge Host Hotel start line was in August 2025.

What You Need to Know About the Worcester Start

Address: College of the Holy Cross – 15 City View St, Worcester, MA 01610

Lodging

Hotels

The PMC currently has room blocks at 11 hotels in Worcester and neighboring Auburn. Hotel room rates range from $189 to $359. All of these hotels are between 2 and 6 miles from the College of the Holy Cross.

How to Book a Room

Riders will be emailed a link to room blocks after they register for PMC 2026 and will be able to book their own rooms; the PMC will not be booking hotel rooms for riders in Worcester, as was done in Sturbridge. Riders will receive a link to room blocks beginning in January.

On-Campus Lodging

Limited on-campus lodging will be available at Holy Cross (shared group space). The PMC will assign riders to these shared group spaces.

Worcester Logistics

Shuttles

Free shuttle buses between Holy Cross and the 11 hotels where the PMC has room blocks will be available Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. Riders are encouraged to take these shuttles to and from the start to reduce the number of cars driving on campus.

Friday Buses

Buses will be available from Boston (1 PM departure) and Wellesley (1:30 PM departure) to Worcester on Friday afternoon, just as they had been available from Sturbridge. Riders can select a Friday bus during registration.

Return Transportation

Buses to Worcester will be available from Mass Maritime Academy in Bourne on Saturday and from Provincetown on Sunday, as well as from Boston, following the arrival of the 3 PM ferry. Riders can select a return transportation option during registration. Weekend parking will be available at Holy Cross, but cars need to be removed by Sunday night.

WEBINAR

PMC 2026: Worcester

The PMC staff and volunteers held a webinar on January 5, 2026, to discuss the new Worcester start. Watch the recording to learn everything you need to know about this new location!

FAQs

We know you have questions about this change – and we have answers! We'll continue to share information and update this page leading up to PMC 2026.

: As the Pan-Mass Challenge surpasses more than $1 billion in lifetime fundraising, the size of our event continues to expand. Moving to the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester will provide the PMC with expanded space and resources. The new route out of Worcester will allow for the event experience to continue to grow alongside an expanding PMC community. You’ll find more capacity and create new traditions as we ride closer by the mile to a world without cancer.
: The College of the Holy Cross, a small undergraduate liberal arts college, will host the start and opening ceremonies for PMC weekend. With 174 acres and 38 buildings, Holy Cross is an ideal site for a growing PMC start. The PMC already uses two other college campuses – Babson College in Wellesley and Mass Maritime Academy in Bourne – as hub sites during PMC weekend.
: The first 23 miles out of Worcester will be brand new, offering fresh scenery before cyclists merge with the historical PMC Sturbridge route in Mendon, just prior to the Franklin water stop (the second water stop on this route). The first water stop will be 21 miles out of Worcester, at a new location in Mendon.

Rest assured, Cherry Street will remain a beloved part of the PMC route, allowing riders to enjoy long-standing traditions while embracing this exciting new chapter.

You can view the route here.
: The Wellesley and Bourne starts are remaining the same! Only the first 23 miles of the Sturbridge/Worcester route will be new; all other routes remain the same. You can see all current PMC routes here.
: Thousands of dedicated volunteers make the PMC possible, and this will be no different for PMC 2026. As we build out the Worcester start, we will closely communicate with Sturbridge volunteers. We value the longtime commitment of our volunteers and hope all Sturbridge volunteers will join us in Worcester, and all Whitinsville water stop volunteers will join us at the new Mendon water stop.

Countdown to PMC 2026: August 1 & 2

XX Days

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The Worcester hub site is presented by

The Pan-Mass Challenge Is Moving to Worcester for PMC 2026

Holy Cross Partners with the PMC to Bring 2026 Ride to Worcester

PMC & Worcester

In December 2024, PMC Founder & Chairman Billy Starr met with College of the Holy Cross President Vincent Rougeau, as well as City of Worcester officials, to officially sign a letter of intent to create a PMC start on the college campus.

Questions?

If you have questions about PMC 2026, please contact the Pan-Mass Challenge office at 781-449-5300 or panmass@pmc.org.

Please direct all media inquiries to:

Hollywood Agency
Phone: 781-749-0077
Email: pmc@hollywoodagency.com

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