NEW York will make its debut on the Longines Global Champions Tour and Global Champions League international calendar in 2019.

Three new cities join the circuit this year - New York, Montreal in Canada and Sweden’s capital city Stockholm - making a record 20 events for the circuit. After a series of strategic expansions in recent years, the Longines Global Champions Tour and GCL series has a significant footprint spanning The Americas, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

The new event in New York, one of the world’s greatest cities, will take place on Governors Island, with breathtaking views of the Statue of Liberty and the lower Manhattan skyline, and will be the prestigious final event of the 2019 regular season.

The 172-acre Governors Island in the heart of New York Harbour, close to Manhattan and Brooklyn, is a former military base transformed into a venue for sport, art, culture and includes the beautiful new Hills area rising up to 70 feet above sea level with panoramic views of the historic harbour.

New York joins existing flagship events in major cities including Paris, London, Shanghai, Madrid, Mexico City, Rome and Doha in Qatar which will now host the opening leg for 2019.

Jan Tops, president of LGCT and co-founder of GCL said: “We are proud to announce our 2019 calendar including one of the world’s foremost and dynamic cities, New York, as well as the new events in Montreal and Stockholm bringing our circuit to 20 events this season.

“We are committed to bringing show jumping to new fans and digital and TV audiences around the world by staging our events in these breathtaking venues in iconic destinations including some of the greatest capital cities.

"It is a core part of our mission to contribute towards a growing and sustainable future for the sport and to continue to see benefits for all stakeholders from riders to grooms, owners, sponsors and, of course, our passionate and loyal fans.”

The new GCL teams for the 2019 championship will be revealed soon as fans across the world get ready for the start of one of the most epic seasons in the history of the circuit.

2019 LGCT and GCL dates

LGCT Doha: Feb 28th - March 2nd

LGCT Mexico City: April 11th - 13th*

LGCT Miami Beach: April 18th - 20th

LGCT Shanghai: May 3rd - 5th

LGCT Madrid: May 17th - 19th

LGCT Hamburg: May 30th - 1st June*

LGCT Cannes: June 6th - 8th

LGCT Stockholm: June 14th - 16th*

LGCT Cascais/Estoril: June 20th - 22nd

LGCT Monaco: June 27th - 29th

LGCT Paris: July 5th - 7th

LGCT Chantilly: July 12th - 14th*

LGCT Berlin: July 26th - 28th

LGCT London: August 2nd - 4th

LGCT Valkenswaard: August 9th - 11th

LGCT Rome: Sept 6th - 8th*

LGCT Ramatuelle/Saint Tropez: Sept 12th - 14th

LGCT Montreal: Sept 20th - 22nd*

LGCT New York: Sept 27th - 29th

GC Prague Playoffs: Nov 21st - 24th