RwandAir has issued a special travel advisory as Kigali prepares to host the 2025 UCI Road World Championships, warning passengers to arrive at Kigali International Airport much earlier than usual because of expected delays from citywide road closures.
Domestic flight check-in counters will now open three hours before departure and close one hour prior, while international flights will open four hours ahead and close 90 minutes before takeoff. “All passengers should plan their journeys to the airport in advance,” RwandAir advised, noting that restricted access and heavy congestion could disrupt normal travel during the week-long event.
The championships, which run from September 21 to 28, mark the first time the prestigious cycling competition will be held in Africa in its 103-year history. Kigali is set to welcome thousands of elite cyclists from more than 100 countries, along with fans, media, and delegations, making it one of the largest sporting gatherings ever hosted by Rwanda.
To manage the influx, the Rwanda National Police has mapped out detours across the city, including routes such as Nyamata, Nyanza, Rebero, Gikondo, Rugunga, Biryogo, Downtown, and Kuri 12, Kigali Parents, Kimironko Junction, Nyabisindu, Gasabo District HQs, Gishushu, Golf, Kinamba, Yamaha, Downtown. Officers will be deployed at intersections to guide vehicles, and real-time updates will be shared through the @Rwandapolice account on X.
Adding to the atmosphere, the Rwanda Development Board has announced that all businesses, including restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, will be permitted to remain open until 4am throughout the championships.
The decision is aimed at boosting Kigali’s nightlife economy during the influx of visitors, though RDB stressed that noise rules must still be observed and alcohol sales to minors or intoxicated persons remain strictly prohibited.
The sporting side begins with time trials on Sunday, with road races following across Kigali’s famously hilly terrain. Defending champions Tadej Pogačar of Slovenia and Pauline Ferrand-Prévot of France are among the stars expected to take on the grueling course, which many predict could produce surprises.
Meanwhile, schools will close during race week to ease traffic and give families a chance to join the festivities. Hotels are reporting full bookings, official Santini merchandise inspired by Rwanda’s landscapes is in high demand, and fan zones are being set up across the capital.
UCI President David Lappartient described the championships as “a vision realized,” calling Kigali’s hosting a breakthrough moment for cycling and for Africa.
Yet, amid the excitement, the central message from authorities remains one of preparation. Whether heading to the airport or navigating city roads, residents and visitors alike are being urged to plan carefully, expect delays, and use official detours.
For Rwanda, the championships are not only about sport, but also a demonstration of its capacity to host world-class events and project itself on the global stage.
