Motorsport

North West 200 schedule for practice and racing at 2026 event

The 2026 North West 200 promises to be another bumper week of road racing

Race 1 PACEMAKER BELFAST. 08/05/2025 NW 200 Race 1 Milwaukee Superbike Race The start if the first Superbike race during this evenings North West 200. Photo Stephen Davison/Pacemaker Press
There are two days of racing at the North West 200. PICTURE: PACEMAKER
By Gareth Fullerton

Road racing fans are in for a treat as the North West 200 returns for another year.

Michael Dunlop - who completed a four-timer at the Cookstown 100 - is one of the many star riders heading to the Triangle circuit, but there is a stellar support cast ready to stamp their authority on proceedings.

Glenn Irwin, Peter Hickman, Storm Stacey, Alastair Seeley and a fitness-pending Davey Todd are just some of the names who will be challenging at the front

Read more: North West 200 race schedule, road closures, TV and live stream info for 2026 event

Here’s more info.

When is the 2026 North West 200?

This year’s North West 200 race week takes place from Monday, May 4 to Saturday, May 9.

When is practice?

The practice schedule is:

  • Weds and Thurs, May 6-7: 9am to 3pm

Read more: North West 200 TV and live stream info for 2026 event

When are the races?

The opening races take place on the Thursday evening, May 7, with roads permitted to be closed from 4.45pm to 9pm.

The second day of racing is on the Saturday, May 9, with roads permitted to be closed from 9am to 7pm.

Read more: “I had thought it would be good to equal my race number-34″: Alastair Seeley returns to the North West 200 sporting a new ride but the same hunger

Race schedule

Thursday, May 7

  • Race 1: Milwaukee Superbike Race - 4 laps, 5.30pm
  • Race 2: Fraser Homes Supersport Race - 4 laps, 6.30pm
  • Race 3: Amici Ristorante Superstock Race - 4 laps, 7.15pm

Saturday, May 9 - first race starts at 10am, with the start times for the subsequent races dependant on previous races.

  • Race 1: Maxwell Freight Services Supertwin/Sportbike Race - 4 laps
  • 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

Road closures during practice and race sessions

  • Route B185 (Station Road – Cromore Road), from its junction with Portrush Road, Portstewart, Route A2, to its junction with University Park, Coleraine Unclassified No.3522.
  • Route A29, Ring Road Coleraine, from its junction with Cromore Road, Route B185, to its junction with Bushmills Road Roundabout, Route A29.
  • Route A29 (Atlantic Road – Coleraine Road – Eglinton Street), from its junction with Burn Road, Coleraine, Unclassified No.3526, to its junction with Sandhill Drive, Portrush, Unclassified No.3543.
  • Route A2 (Portstewart Road – Dhu Varren – Ballyreagh Road – Portrush Road – Portmore Road) from its junction with Coleraine Road, Portrush, Route A29, to its junction with Atlantic Circle, Portstewart, Unclassified No.3534.
  • Unclassified No.3303 Glenmanus Road, Portrush, from its junction with Glenvale Crescent, Unclassified No.3545, for a distance of 100 metres in a southerly direction.
  • Route A2 Crocknamack Road, Portrush, from its junction with Eglinton Street, Unclassified No.3543, to its junction with Hopefield Avenue, Unclassified No.3304.

How can I watch it?

The practice and racing will be shown live on the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport NI website.

Coverage times include:

  • Wednesday - 10am -2.45pm.
  • Thursday -10am - 2.45pm and 5pm - 8.30pm
  • Saturday - 9am to close of racing