They are organized by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the governing body of world cycling.

The first three finishers in each discipline at the World Championships are awarded gold, silver, and bronze medals.

Unlike other UCI-sanctioned mountain-bike races, the competitors in the World Championships represent national rather than commercial teams.

The first UCI Mountain Bike World Championships took place in Durango, Colorado, USA in 1990 and featured only cross-country and downhill events.

The cross-country eliminator was introduced in 2012 but will be part of the UCI Urban Cycling World Championships from 2017 onwards.