On Wednesday, organisers of the Philadelphia International Cycling Classic announced that their race will be upgraded from UCI 1.2 to 1.1 level in 2016 according to Cyclingnews. This will allow race organisers to invite only professional cycling teams. They are also expecting to have a more high-profile field in Philadelphia.

During the last World Championships in Richmond, Virginia, the UCI announced the details of the first Women WorldTour. There will be 17 events (stage races and one-day events) and the Philadelphia International Cycling Classic will be included in this calendar. "We are thrilled to host such a prestigious and competitive race in the City of Philadelphia," said Mayor Nutter. "The 2015 UCI Women's Road World Cup was the first race of its caliber to return to the United States since 2001 and it didn't disappoint. This year, the WorldTour will replace the World Cup events, but the race will still be the same exciting, compelling event that has come to be expected of the Philadelphia International Cycling Classic. I look forward to watching the best cyclists in the world ride the course past world-famous Philadelphia landmarks next year."

"It is great to see the Philadelphia International Cycling Classic continue to raise the bar for women's cycling in America with their iconic single-day road race in one of America's most treasured cities," said Derek Bouchard-Hall, USA Cycling CEO. "The women's field will be one of the strongest, deepest fields in the world as a stop on the UCI Women's WorldTour, and the classification upgrade to the men's race will attract many of today's top riders to the U.S. We are thrilled the eyes of the world will be on Philadelphia next June."

The Philadelphia International Championship is an annual bicycle race held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is described as "America's top international cycling classic, and one of the richest and most prestigious one day races outside of Europe." It is one of the longest single-day races in the U.S. at 199.6 kilometres (124.0 mi).