North West 200 Visitors Guide :
Updated for 2026
Get all the latest North West 200 Updates Here
TBNI.Blog have compiled the most useful and popular posts in relation to the North West 200 in order to bring you a basic Visitors’ Guide. Hopefully this guide will give you an idea and some knowledge of the course and plenty of other useful information.
History :
The North West 200 is Ireland’s largest outdoor sporting event. The first event’s organisers could not have imagined how the event would grow over the years. In 1964, the North West 200 event was handed over to the Coleraine & District Motor Club Ltd who continues to run the event today.
Many people ask why the North West 200 is called the North West 200. The answer lies in the spawning of the event. History reveals that although the Club’s original choice of name for the race remained, their original choice of venue did not. The name has continued to generate some confusion amongst those who are unaware of the event’s origins. The inclusion of “200” simply indicates that the event was originally run over a distance of 200 miles. “North West”, reflects the original intended, location of the race, i.e. on a public roads course in the North West of Ireland.
The North West 200’s first organisers could not have imagined how the event would grow over the years. In 1964, the North West 200 event was handed over to the Coleraine & District Motor Club which continues to run the event today. In 2007, around two million people logged on from nearly every part of the world to watch what has become Ireland’s largest sporting event and one of the world’s fastest road races.
For many more interesting facts and stories about the NW200 visit here.
North West 200 Tickets :
The NW200 is a free event. Spectators can visit and find any number of superb vantage spots (for free) around the 8+ miles of the circuit. However, like for every road racing event, it is important to support the event and the sport and one way to do this is to buy a Programme. More so they are filled with interesting articles, stories, photographs and information about the event. Programmes are available online, as well as in many local shops and on practice and race days will also be for sale all around the circuit.
There are also a number of ticket only areas at the North West 200, such as grandstands, Paddock Passes, and the newFan Zone. Tickets are available online and from the Ticket Office.
Tickets to all Grandstands are now available for the 2026 Event!
North West 200 Circuit :
The North West Circuit runs from Portrush to Portstewart and then into Coleraine. It is affectionately known as the ‘Triangle’ Circuit and with a top recorded speed of 209 mph it is one of the fastest road races in the world.
Clicking the map below will take you to the NW200 Official Site where you will find details of Vantage Points all around the Circuit.
For further information on specific vantage points around the circuit click here.
You can find full details about how to get to the North West 200 by sea, plane, road and train all on the Official North West 200 Site.
North West 200 Bike / Car Parking :
The main official carpark is the Golf Course located beside the Paddock.
Please note this carpark is ticket only.
Please book through this link. (Links to the Official NW200 Site)
Please note this car park is for cars and bikes only – NO motorhomes or vans.
Disabled parking is available on the grass at the Golf Course Car Park beside the paddock (first come, first served). A blue badge drop-off area is located at the Startline Grandstand to safely unload passengers with reduced mobility.
Once parked in official car parks, vehicles cannot leave while road closures are in place.
Wednesday 6th May 7am – 3pm
Thursday 7th May 7am – 3pm & 4.45pm – 9pm
Saturday 9th May 7am – 7pm
Other car & bike parks:
- Opposite Portrush Police Station – Bike Parking
- West Bay Car Park at Metropole, Portrush – Car & Bike Parking
- Ballyreagh Golf Course (opposite Inn on the Coast Hotel) – Bike Parking
- Quarry Hill – Car Parking
Car Park Pricing :
Cars :
Wednesday and Friday – £15
Thursday and Saturday – £20
Bikes :
Wednesday , Thursday, Friday and Saturday – £10 per day
2026 North West 200 Schedule :
Please Note : This Schedule is subject to change.
The 2026 North West 200 will run from 4th – 9th May 2026.
Road Closing Times :
| Wednesday 6th May | Practice | 9.00am – 3.00pm |
| Thursday 7th May | Practice | 9.00am – 3.00pm |
| Thursday 7th May | Evening Racing | 4.45pm – 9.00pm |
| Saturday 9th May | Race Day | 9.00am – 7.00pm |
Should extreme weather be forecast, the 2026 contingency days will be: Wednesday 6th May and Friday 8th May 2026.
In lieu of using one of the above full contingency days, organisers may also extend the road closing times on Wednesday 6th and Saturday 9th May 2026 as follows:
Existing Road Closing | Contingency | |
| Wednesday | 9.00am – 3.00pm | 5.00pm – 9.00pm |
| Saturday | 9.00am – 7.00pm | 7.00pm – 9.00pm |
The full road closure legislation for 2026 can be found here.
PRACTICE SCHEDULE :
Wednesday 6th May – Practice Schedule (9.00am to 3.00pm)
| Session | Bike Class | (Times are approx) |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Session | NEWCOMERS ONLY | 09.45 |
| 2nd Session | SUPERBIKE | 10.30 |
| 3rd Session | SUPERSPORT | 11.45 |
| 4th Session | SUPERSTOCK | 12.45 |
| 5th Session | SUPERTWIN/SPORTBIKE | 13.45 |
Thursday 7th May – Practice Schedule (9:00am to 3.00pm)
| Session | Bike Class | (Times are approx) |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Session | SUPERBIKE | 09.45 |
| 2nd Session | SUPERSPORT | 11.00 |
| 3rd Session | SUPERSTOCK | 12.00 |
| 4th Session | SUPERTWIN//SPORTBIKE | 13.00 |
RACE SCHEDULE :
Thursday 7th May – Race Schedule (4.45pm to 9pm)
| Race No. | Race | (Times are approx) |
|---|---|---|
| Race 1 | MILWAUKEE SUPERBIKE RACE (4 LAPS) | 17.30 hrs |
| Race 2 | FRASER HOMES SUPERSPORT RACE (4 LAPS) | 18.30 hrs |
| Race 3 | AMICI RISTORANTE SUPERSTOCK RACE (4 LAPS) | 19.15 hrs |
Saturday 9th May – Race Schedule (9:00am to 7pm)
| Race No. | Race | |
|---|---|---|
| Race 1 | MAXWELL FREIGHT SERVICES SUPERTWIN/SPORTBIKE RACE (4 LAPS) | 10.00 hrs (Approx) |
| Race 2 | BRIGGS EQUIPMENT SUPERBIKE RACE (6 LAPS) | |
| Race 3 | TIDES RESTAURANT SUPERSPORT RACE (6 LAPS) | |
| Race 4 | CP HIRE SUPERSTOCK RACE (6 LAPS) | |
| Race 5 | JOHN M PATERSON SUPERTWIN/SPORTBIKE RACE (4 LAPS) | |
| Race 6 | MERROW HOTEL AND SPA SUPERBIKE RACE (6 LAPS) |
For further details subscribe to to the TBNI Road Racing Calendar.
2026 North West 200 Entertainment :
The 2026 North West 200 has a whole range of entertainment lined up for race week at the Entertainment Marquee.
Bike Classes at the North West 200 :
At the North West 200, there are 4 different classes of bikes. From the sheer power of Superbikes, with speeds exceeding 200mph, to the more accessible realm of Superstock where minor tweaks can transform stock bikes. In the Supersport class, 600cc machines engage in riveting battles, while the Supertwin category introduces modified 650cc twins. Find out more on each on the Official NW200 site.
Road Racing Flags and Their Meanings : https://tbni.blog/2022/05/18/road-racing-flags/
NW200 Racing Coverage :
Worldwide streaming of all practice sessions and races on BBC Sport Northern Ireland
