The Ultimate Guide to Relais pour la Vie 2026 with Team ALGSO

A 2026 Guide. Team ALGSO presents: The Ultimate Guide toRelais pour la Vie 2026 Luxembourg

Introduction: The Event of the Year Returns

Ready… Set… Go!

Pull out your calendars, jotters, phones or messenger pigeons: Relais pour la Vie is back and trust us, you really don’t want to miss it!

On 21 – 22 March 2026, Luxembourg will put on its most powerful display of solidarity. Organised by the Fondation Cancer, this truly is more than a simple charity event… It’s a movement-fueled movement, and Team ALGSO is ready to make our mark once again.

During 24 inspiring hours, thousands of people gather at the Coque (and beyond, thanks to the connected participation feature) to run, walk, jog, cycle, dance and cheer in support of those affected by cancer.
The message couldn’t be clearer: cancer doesn’t stop at night and neither will we.

Anyone present last year and running with Team ALGSO, surely still cherishes the memories of that unforgettable show of love, energy, compassion and support… Not to mention the 4am giggles during the costume lap…
This year, we’re back with two teams: an in-person team at the Coque and a connected one (for anyone joining mid-holiday 😉).

We have put together this nifty guide to help answer any questions you might have and to serve as a delectable appetizer for the fantastic event to come.
Because make no mistake: Relais pour la Vie 2026 will be unforgettable!

But first: here is a glimpse of last year’s Relais pour la Vie, as seen through the eyes of our ALGSO family members present.

Photo collage of the snapshots taken by our ALGSO family at last year's Relais pour la Vie.
Photo collage of the snapshots taken by our ALGSO family at last year's Relais pour la Vie.
Photo collage of the snapshots taken by our ALGSO family at last year's Relais pour la Vie.
Photo collage of the snapshots taken by our ALGSO family at last year's Relais pour la Vie.
Photo collage of the snapshots taken by our ALGSO family at last year's Relais pour la Vie.
Photo collage of the snapshots taken by our ALGSO family at last year's Relais pour la Vie.
Photo collage of the snapshots taken by our ALGSO family at last year's Relais pour la Vie.
Photo collage of the snapshots taken by our ALGSO family at last year's Relais pour la Vie.

What is Relais pour la Vie?

For anyone new to this event, this is what you need to know:

Organised by the incredible Fondation Cancer Luxembourg (hats-off to you for this incredible event!), Relais pour la Vie is a 24-hour relay event where teams from across our small but mighty country can sign up to show support for cancer patients, survivors and their families, all the while raising money for the cause.

Broken down, it looks like this:

Anyone can create a team, as long as there are min. 24 and max. 48 participants.

Each team continuously relays for 24 hours straight.

Participants can walk, jog or run in 1-hour slots.

The movement on the track never stops: symbolising the unending fight against cancer.

The event raises funds and awareness for cancer research and to help support cancer patients and their families.

But as always, it is so much more than mere bullet-points.
It’s the opening ceremony that sees tissues being passed around with a knowing smile. It’s the Survivor and Caregiver Tour that leaves you speechless with the overwhelming wave of support and love. It’s the candle ceremony that honours thousands (and sees more tissues being passed).
And if you’re not ready for that much emotion, don’t worry. It’s also the midnight karaoke, the 2am Zumba and the occasional running unicorn or strutting t-rex on the tracks that make everyone laugh, giggle or snort up your water through your nose (true story).

It’s 24 hours of unity, entertainment, and hope.


When and Where?

Dates: Saturday 21 March (4:30pm) – Sunday 22 March (7pm), 2026

In-Person Location: d’Coque, Kirchberg

Address: 2 Rue Léon Hengen, Luxembourg

Entrance: Arena Entrance 1

Connected Location: Anywhere!
Walk, run, or cycle from your neighbourhood, favourite trail or holiday location!

Check out the event page from our Events Calendar and add it straight into your phone’s calendar! (Technology…amazing, isn’t it?)

Getting There (In-Person):

Tram T1: Direction “Luxexpo” – stop “Coque”

Bus 16: Direction “Kirchberg, Eurohub Sud” – stop “Coque”

Bus 18: Direction “Kirchberg, Luxexpo” – stop “Coque”

Train: Nearest station is Gare de “Pfaffenthal-Kirchberg”

ALGSO tip: Public transport is FREE in Luxembourg! Leave the car at home and avoid parking stress (and do something good for the planet too!).

Plan your journey and look up timetables here: Mobiliteit.lu

Nearby parking (if needed):

Parking Coque

Parking Glacis

Parking Schuman

Search for more parking spot here: vdl.lu and parkopedia


Two Ways to Join Team ALGSO

This year, we’re joining the movement and going modern by offering two different ways to be a part of the ALGSO family at Relais pour la Vie 2026:

Team ALGSO in-person

Experience the full force of the magic of the Relais pour la Vie atmosphere at the Coque arena.

DetailInformation
Capacity24-48 participants (limited spots!)
FormatRelay in 1-hour slots
ActivityWalk, run, or jog on the track
AccessFull access to all activities, ceremonies, and entertainment (track access with bracelet only)
Meeting PointAssigned bleacher section (details shared before event)

Why should you join in person, you say?
In case the aforementioned idea of water spewing from your nostrils wasn’t enough to convince you (who knows? Maybe you’re not into underwater breathing), here are some pretty valid points (in our humble opinion):

Feel the mammoth atmosphere of 15,000+ participants, united for the cause.

Experience the emotional opening and candle ceremonies (and bring tissues).

Unlimited access to the track entertainment: Zumba, cycling, swing dance and more… (only open to signed-up participants who receive a bracelet granting access.)

Be part of Team ALGSO’s bleacher cheer-squad (the energy is infectious).

Create memories that will last a lifetime.

Team ALGSO connected

We heard you loud and clear last year: you couldn’t be there in person and were gutted to have to miss out on this exhilarating event. Well, now you can relay from wherever you are, be it the Swiss mountains or the Spanish playa!

DetailInformation
CapacityUnlimited participants
FormatRelay in 1-hour slots during the event weekend
ActivityWalk, run, jog, dance skip, or cycle anywhere
CoordinationReport start/finish times to team captain

We know… it’s new, daunting and a little unclear. So let’s break it down for you:

Register with the ALGSO secretariat (so far, nothing new).

Choose your 1-hour slot (or slots, for the active worker bees amongst you)

During your slot, get moving wherever you are (yes, including living-room treadmill parties! 🕺🥳)

Report your start and finish times to your team captain

Share your sassy photos on social media, making sure to tag us and use the official #Relais2026Lux and our traditional #TeamALGSO

And in case the idea of contributing to the cause while enjoying a well-earned holiday isn’t enough, here are a couple more advantages to joining our connected team:

Participate from anywhere in the world (including your living room)

Be a part of our fabulous Team ALGSO even if you can’t travel to the Coque

Flexible timing within the event

Feel connected to the ALGSO family across borders

Perfect for members living outside Luxembourg, or with mobility/health considerations


How to Register

Here’s another sneaky perk we really should mention:
Registration is FREE for ALGSO members! We cover the €15 registration fee.

Contact our secretary (who also happens to be this year’s Team Captain) Arlette Hinterscheid:

SMS or WhatsApp: +352 691 250 028

Please be sure to provide your:

First and last name

Phone number

Email address (to receive your registration confirmation)

Preferred participation: In-Person or Connected

Preferred time slot(s) if known

Registration Deadline: 8 March 2026

Note: In-person spots are limited (max. 48 participants), so register early to secure your place!


What to Expect: The Programme

Saturday 21 March

TimeEvent
16:30Doors open: bracelet collection
17:30Opening Ceremony: Testimonies, speeches, emotional moments
Somewhere between 17:30 and 19:00Survivor & Caregiver Tour: The powerful first lap of honour
19:00Official Relay Start: Teams kick-off their 24-hour journey
21:00Swing Dance on the track
22:00Zumba
00:00Zumba (midnight energy!)

Sunday 22 March

TimeEvent
02:00Zumba
03:00Last round of night Zumba
10:00Line Dance
10:00–18:00Children’s activities, workshops, info and support stands
11:00Zumba’s comeback
13:00Brazilian Dance
14:00More Zumba
15:00Zumba for children
16:00Bachata
17:00Candle Ceremony: A deeply moving moment of remembrance
18:00Jombolo
19:00Final Team Parade: Celebration and closure

Alongside the scheduled animation in the centre of the track, and the activities and booths planned in the hallway, participants can go down to a section of the track and cycle for charity!

Trust us, burning calories has never felt more satisfying: for each kilometer cycled, Enovos donates to the Fondation Cancer.

Yes, you heard that right. You get to work out those leg muscles and raise money at the same time…sounds like a win-win, doesn’t it?

An ALGSO member on a bicycle at the Relais pour la Vie 2025 Luxembourg

The Iconic Moments of Relais pour la Vie:

Want to make sure you get the full experience?
Or maybe you’re joining the connected team this year, but still want to be there for these iconic moments?
Or perhaps this year has been rough and you would rather avoid emotions you’re not yet ready to face?

Here at ALGSO, we believe that everyone follows their own very individual healing journey, and we want you to know and respect: your pace, your state and your needs.

That is why we have compiled here below the top 3 moments of the event.
They are iconic for a reason. They each bring a lot of emotion:

Tears run freely during the testimonies.

Waves of support roll through the stadium during the Survivor and Caregiver tour.

Hands are squeezed and embraces are found at the Candle Ceremony.

Some find it to be too much to handle. And that’s okay.
Some find it to be healing. And we’re here for it.
Whatever your feeling is on the matter, we’re here to honour it and to hold you up however you wish to be held.

So without further ado, here they are:

The Opening Ceremony

Saturday: 5:30pm
Each year, the Relais pour la Vie Luxembourg launches off with it’s Opening Ceremony. It features an artistic performance, awareness speeches from important figures and the tissue-worthy testimonies from patients and caregivers. It is deep, emotional, inspiring and sets the tone for everything that follows.

Check out last year’s opening ceremony here:

The Survivor and Caregiver Tour

Saturday: somewhere between 5:30pm and 7pm
The Opening Ceremony concludes with the Survivor and Caregiver Tour, an honorary first lap walked by those who have faced cancer directly: patients and their caregivers. They receive a rose and meet the various figures present for the speeches, but most importantly: they are surrounded by an entire stadium on their feet, cheering and clapping in an unending chorus of love, admiration, empathy, encouragement and support.

Want to sign up for the Survivor and Caregiver Tour?
Or would you like some more information on this specifically?
Here are some useful links:

The Candle Ceremony

Sunday: 5pm
During the days leading up to the Relais pour la Vie, as well as during the event itself (in the hallways surrounding the stadium), individuals have the opportunity to decorate and personalise a paper bag. These paper bags, featuring messages of hope and remembrance, memories, and tributes, are then placed around the track by a group of dedicated volunteers and a candle is placed in each one.
The Candle Ceremony starts when the lights go out and the hundreds of candles illuminate the track, accompanied by an artistic performance and followed by a minute of silence.
It is a famously moving moment that saw last year’s ALGSO family present, united and exchanging tissues, hugs and embraces.

Want to decorate a candle of your own?
Find out more about it here:


What to Bring

Here is a list of the essentials that you will want to bring with you to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience:

Comfortable sportswear (extra awareness points if you wear your ALGSO t-shirt!),

Good walking or running shoes,

Reusable water bottle (there are water fountains on the track),

Layers (the temperature can vary on and off the track),

Phone and charger (for photos and coordination),

Positive attitude and team spirit!

Important!
You will receive:

Your Fondation Cancer bracelet (which serves as the access pass to the track): from your team captain at our bleacher section.

Team race number (passed between relayers between slots): from the runners of the slot before yours on the track (this is where the ALGSO shirt comes in handy for quick and easy spotting!).

Optional but fun things to bring along:

Camera for memories (our official ALGSO photographer will also be present),

Snacks for that midnight energy boost (especially if you plan on doing the full 24hrs),

Noise-producing things to cheer on our ALGSO team members (tambourines, whistles, a really loud friend…)

We unfortunately don’t see any dedicated costume laps like last year, but nothing prevents you from decorating the track and bringing fun to your fellow track-mates and the cheering audience! (Ask last year’s 4am runners… They will confirm the fun that comes with a costume!)

Note: Access to the track activities (zumba, cycling, zumba, line dance, zumba and…more zumba) requires your participant bracelet. So make sure to collect it from your team captain before heading to the track. And keep it on until the end of the event, even if you’ve already ran your slot…you never know when the inspiration for a little midnight cycling (or zumba) might hit!


Practical Information

Food and Drinks:

Catering available throughout the full 24 hours of the event and all proceeds go to Fondation Cancer.

The food and drinks can be purchased via a voucher system (vouchers can be bought with cash and card).

Note: Eating is forbidden in the bleachers or on the track. Please us the designated areas.

Facilities:

Toilets are available for all visitors all around the arena.

Showers and changing rooms can be found under the bleachers. (Note: they are unsupervised, so we recommend not leaving any valuables unattended.)

Water fountains can be found on the track, in various spots, so bring that reusable bottle!

Charging points for devices can be found in various spots, in the hallways around the arena.

Access:

The event is fully wheelchair accessible (though they do recommend reaching out to the organisation team ahead of time to facilitate the experience).

No animals are allowed at the Coque (keep the chicken costume for after you’ve passed security… 😉)

Children are welcome (there will be supervised activities available for them in the hallway around the arena as off 10am on Sunday).

Entrance is free and open to all visitors wishing to come and watch, cheer, or donate.

Team ALGSO Meeting Point:

We will have an assigned bleacher section (bloc still to be confirmed).

Look for ALGSO members in our signature shirts.

Your bracelet and race bib information will be available here.


How to Support (even if you can’t participate)

Are you unable to join us this year? No worries, here are some meaningful ways you can still show your support:

Personalise a candle that will be lit during Sunday’s candle ceremony (details above)

Cheer us on! Come to the Coque as a visitor and experience the electric atmosphere as you cheer and encourage our Team ALGSO runners from our bleacher spot!

Support on social media. Share our posts, use the hashtags and spread awareness. Every share extends our reach. 💙

Send encouragement. A little message of support to team members means more than you know… especially during those 3am slots!

Not yet following us on social media? Now’s your chance!
Follow us on Facebook and/or Instagram by clicking the icons here below.

And don’t hesitate to share this article with friends and family!
Spreading awareness is what gets the wheel moving after all, and what better way than by rallying support and participation around you?
So spread the word. Send this to your colleague who always asks about your weekend plans, your friend who’s always dragging you to events, or that special someone who motivates you on those particularly difficult days. (ALGSO coaches, we dedicate this to you!)
Click on the icons below to share this article through your preferred platform:


Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be a cancer patient/survivor to join Team ALGSO?

No! Our team includes patients, survivors, caregivers, family members, and supporters. Everyone affected by cancer in some way and wants to support the cause is welcome.

I’m not very fit. Can I still participate?

Absolutely! You can walk at whatever pace is comfortable for you.
Remember: this is not a race, it’s a relay of solidarity. Every step counts.

Can my family join me?

Yes! Family members are welcome to participate!
Contact Arlette to register them as part of the team. (registration information above)

What if the weather is bad? (Connected team)

The connected team can participate indoors: treadmill, indoor track, or any other solution. Get creative!

Will there be photos of the event?

Yes! We’ll share photos and videos during and after the event on our social media and our website’s photo gallery (see last year’s Relais pour la Vie photos). A full recap blog post will also follow (see last year’s Recap here).


Let’s Make History Together

Relais pour la Vie 2026 is so much more than a simple charity event to raise funds for cancer research…
It’s a nation-wide statement.
It’s thousands of people coming together to say:

We see you. We support you. You’re not alone.

This message of unity, support, awareness, dedication and love rings loud and clear, echoing with each step.

That’s why, when you join Team ALGSO, you inevitably become a part of something bigger. You represent the belief that movement heals, that community strengthens and that hope endures… Everything we stand for.

So come, be the jigsaw piece that completes the puzzle. Take to the track at the crack of dawn, jog through your neighbourhood on Sunday morning, or come and cheer from the bleachers.
Because your presence matters.
Your steps matter.
Your voice matters.
You matter.

Move Together. Heal Together.
Join Team ALGSO. 💙