- Glenn Irwin returns after a year-long absence with a Ducati V4R, chasing his 12th consecutive Superbike victory
- Davey Todd fights to compete after suffering a triple leg fracture at the Daytona 200
- BSB talent Storm Stacey makes his road racing debut on a Ducati V4R
The Briggs Equipment North West 200, first held in 1929 and one of the most historic road races of all time, attracts a rider lineup this year that is as star-studded as rarely before. With Glenn Irwin, Michael Dunlop, Peter Hickman, Alastair Seeley, Dean Harrison, and the injury-doubtful Davey Todd, six riders are on the entry list who have amassed more than 200 victories at international road races combined. At the same time, prominent newcomer Storm Stacey from the British Superbike Championship adds further excitement.
When do qualifying and races take place at the North West 200 2026?
Race week runs from May 4 to 9, 2026, with on-track action beginning on Wednesday, May 6. Over three days, racing takes place on public roads that are closed to regular traffic.
On Wednesday, May 6, the first qualifying sessions are scheduled. Roads will be closed from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Newcomers kick things off with their familiarisation laps around 9:45 AM, before the Superbikes enter the first qualifying session from 10:30 AM. Supersport machines follow at 11:45 AM, the Superstock class at 12:45 PM, and the Super Twin/Sportbike category at 1:45 PM.
Thursday, May 7, is split into two parts. In the morning, second qualifying sessions take place from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, starting with the Superbikes at 9:45 AM, followed by Supersport at 11:00 AM, Superstock at 12:00 PM, and Super Twin/Sportbike at 1:00 PM. In the evening, the roads close again from 4:45 PM to 9:00 PM. Three races are then scheduled: the Milwaukee Superbike Race over 4 laps from 5:30 PM, the Fraser Homes Supersport Race over 4 laps from 6:30 PM, and the Amici Ristorante Superstock Race over 4 laps from 7:15 PM.
The main race day is Saturday, May 9. Road closures apply from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and a total of six races are on the programme. At 10:00 AM, the Maxwell Freight Services Super Twin/Sportbike Race over 4 laps opens the day. This is followed by the Briggs Equipment Superbike Race over 6 laps, the Tides Restaurant Supersport Race over 6 laps, the CP Hire Superstock Race over 6 laps, the John M Paterson Super Twin/Sportbike Race over 4 laps, and finally the Merrow Hotel and Spa Superbike Race over 6 laps. The exact start times for races two through six depend on the progress of the preceding races.
Why is Glenn Irwin’s comeback the biggest news of the season?
Glenn Irwin is by far the most successful Superbike rider in North West 200 history. The 35-year-old from Carrickfergus won eleven consecutive Superbike races at the North Coast between 2017 and 2024 and holds the outright lap record on the Triangle Course at 125.779 mph (approximately 202.5 km/h). With his winning streak, Irwin surpassed the previous record of nine victories in the premier class, shared by Michael Rutter and the late Joey Dunlop.
In October 2024, Irwin had announced his retirement from road racing and sat out the 2025 edition, citing family interests. In January 2026, he reversed that decision and announced his return. Irwin rides a Ducati Panigale V4R for the Nitrous Competitions Racing Team in 2026, the same team he competes with in the British Superbike Championship.
“Everything has come together to make this possible, and the package is too good to turn down,” Irwin explained about his comeback. The Northern Irishman referred to a severe hip and pelvis injury sustained in a training crash at Snetterton in June 2024 that nearly ended his career. “I hope people respect my decision and understand that my career was almost over last year.”
However, Irwin’s participation was still in doubt the weekend before the NW200. At the BSB season opener at Oulton Park on May 3 and 4, he struggled with massive electronic problems on his Ducati. In Race 1, he finished only twelfth; in Race 2, he had to retire because the gearbox failed. According to Crash.net, Irwin had already informed race director Mervyn Whyte on Sunday that he would not compete. “We were 99 percent sure we would not be racing at the North West this week,” Irwin said. Only when the technical problems were apparently resolved in Race 3 and Irwin finished fifth did he change his mind. “He doesn’t even know we’re coming yet. I’ll probably have to call him,” Irwin commented afterwards.
Race director Mervyn Whyte described Irwin’s comeback as “undoubtedly the biggest and most exciting news in road racing for 2026.” Irwin himself has set a clear goal: “I want to pick up where I left off last time. I love it at the North Coast, it feels like my backyard for a reason, and I’ll be chasing three Superbike wins again.”
What roles do Michael Dunlop and Peter Hickman play?
Michael Dunlop, 36 years old and from Ballymoney, is a living legend of the sport with 130 victories at Irish road races and 33 TT wins on the Isle of Man. At the 2025 NW200, he claimed three victories, including the controversial Superbike triumph where Peter Hickman refused to attend the podium ceremony in protest. Dunlop arrives in 2026 fresh from four wins at the Cookstown 100 and competes on a factory-supported Ducati Panigale V4 in the Superbike class as well as a BMW in the Superstock category. In the Supersport class, he relies on the Ducati Panigale V2 from his Scars Racing Team.
Peter Hickman, 37 years old, holder of the outright TT lap record and 14-time TT winner, starts for the 8TEN Racing Team on a BMW M1000RR. Despite his numerous successes at the Isle of Man TT, Hickman is still waiting for his first Superbike victory at the NW200. In the Supersport class, he rides a Triumph 765 RS from PHR Performance. Hickman survived two crashes at the Daytona 200 in March without injuries and is considered well prepared.
Dean Harrison, who starts for Honda Racing UK, is also one of the most experienced riders in the field and, like Hickman, is still waiting for his first NW200 victory. Josh Brookes, former BSB champion and now riding a Suzuki for DAO Racing, leads the team’s return to road racing with his commitment.
What is the status of Davey Todd’s comeback after the Daytona crash?
Davey Todd, 30 years old, triple NW200 winner in 2025 and reigning TT Superbike champion, suffered severe injuries on March 6, 2026, during qualifying for the Daytona 200 in Florida. The Englishman from Saltburn-by-the-Sea was taken out by another rider in the first qualifying session but rode the damaged motorcycle back to the pit. During repairs, it went unnoticed that the steering stops were damaged. When Todd re-entered the track, the steering locked in Turn 2, and he was catapulted into the barriers. The result: a fracture of the left femur as well as fractures of the right tibia and foot.
Just under two months later, Todd completed a test in Valencia in early May, where after three sessions he was only a few seconds off his lap times from January. “I left Formula Medicine about four days ago, went to Valencia to try a bike, and found that I could do it,” Todd said. He must still pass a medical assessment before the NW200, however.
Todd openly stated that he is not coming as a victory contender. “I can’t say I’m coming to fight for race wins,” he made clear. He is skipping the Super Twin race on the Triumph, as his PHR team could not prepare the parts in time. His focus is on the Superbike and Superstock classes on the BMW M1000RR of the 8TEN Racing Team, which he co-runs with Peter Hickman.
What is record winner Alastair Seeley doing at the NW200 2026?
Alastair Seeley, 49 years old and also from Carrickfergus, is the most successful rider in the entire history of the North West 200 with 29 victories across all classes. In the Supersport class alone, he has won 13 times, and in the Superstock class 12 times. In 2025, however, the veteran went winless after an engine failure on his BMW in the Superbike race also prevented his Superstock start.
For 2026, Seeley switches to the Binch Pro Racing Team and competes in the Super Twin/Sportbike class for the first time. He pilots an Aprilia RS660 with title sponsorship from 3B Construction. In the Supersport category, he rides a Ducati Panigale V2 from the same team. Seeley is skipping the big 1000cc classes this year.
Seeley is chasing his 30th career victory at the 2026 NW200. Race director Whyte assessed the prospects: “Alastair and the team have a real chance of making history at the Briggs Equipment NW200 2026. It won’t be easy, but Alastair will have a lot of support from the home fans.”
On the competition in the Twin class, Seeley himself said: “The Super Twin class is extremely competitive, and I know Richard Cooper will be attacking again. With riders like Paul Jordan, Peter Hickman, Adam McLean, and Jeremy McWilliams in the field, there will be no shortage of competition.”
Why is BSB star Storm Stacey making waves as a newcomer?
Storm Stacey, at 23, is one of the most high-profile newcomers ever to compete at the NW200. The Staffordshire rider has established himself in the British Superbike Championship since 2021 and turned heads with his maiden BSB victory at Snetterton in 2024. He attended the 2025 NW200 as a spectator and decided to compete himself afterwards.
Stacey rides a Ducati Panigale V4R in the Superbike class for Michael Rutter’s Bathams AJN Racing Team and additionally a BMW M1000RR in the Superstock class, provided by Alpha Racing by GRYD in collaboration with MLav Racing. Rutter, himself a 14-time NW200 winner, takes on the role of mentor. “Storm is a real talent,” Rutter said at the announcement. “He can be fast on anything and can do everything, not just the racing, but also dealing with the media. His riding style, especially the way he brakes the bike, suits the NW200.”
Glenn Irwin even tipped Stacey at the NW200 launch as a future “multiple Superbike champion” at the North Coast. Stacey himself remained humble: “I’m just a crazy guy who wants to come to the North West and ride a bike and soak up the atmosphere.” Josh Brookes, former BSB champion and NW200 veteran, showed him the course during a visit. Stacey recalled: “The biggest problem for me was seeing the roads as a race track. I kept thinking we were driving to the supermarket.”
Besides Stacey, Rob Hodson (SMT Racing, Paton/Ducati), Franco Bourne (Team ILR with Frog Vehicle Developments, Honda), Grant Thomson, Chris Cook (STS Racing), Sean Brolly, Lee Osprey, Lee Hara, and TT winner Milky Quayle’s son Iliam Quayle are also making their debut at the Triangle Course. Under MCUI rules, newcomers are limited to a maximum of three races per day.
What race classes and rule changes are there in 2026?
The race programme comprises four classes: Superbike (1000cc), Supersport, Superstock, and Super Twin/Sportbike. On Thursday evening, three races of 4 laps each are held (Superbike, Supersport, Superstock), while Saturday features six races, including three over 6 laps (Superbike twice, Supersport, Superstock) and two over 4 laps (Super Twin/Sportbike). In the Superbike class, a total of three races are contested.
Notably, the Sportbike class allows triple-cylinder machines and BSB Sportbikes for the first time in 2026, increasing the technical variety in the field. Richard Cooper, five-time Super Twin winner at the NW200 and seven-time overall winner, switches from a Kawasaki to a Suzuki GSX-8R with the Powerslide team as a result. Additionally, Cooper enters the 1000cc classes as a late addition on a BMW M1000RR from the SMS/Nicholl Oils team.
How are road closures and reserve days organised?
The NW200 takes place on public roads, requiring extensive closures. On Wednesday and Thursday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, on Thursday evening from 4:45 PM to 9:00 PM, and on Saturday from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, the roads between Portrush, Portstewart, and Coleraine are closed to regular traffic.
Thanks to the Road Races (Amendment) Act of 2014, organisers have the option to move a practice or race day forward or back by one day in case of extreme weather conditions. For 2026, Wednesday, May 6, and Friday, May 8, are designated as reserve days. Alternatively, road closures can be extended until 9:00 PM on Wednesday and until 9:00 PM on Saturday. Changes are communicated via the official NW200 website, BBC Northern Ireland, and the NW200 WhatsApp channel.
Where can you watch the NW200 2026 live?
BBC Northern Ireland broadcasts all practice and race sessions live and free of charge worldwide via BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport NI website. Broadcast times: Wednesday, May 6, from 10:00 AM to 2:45 PM, Thursday, May 7, from 10:00 AM to 2:45 PM and from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM, Saturday, May 9, from 9:00 AM until the end of the final race.
BBC Northern Ireland has extended its contract with the NW200 until the centenary year of 2029. BBC NI Director Adam Smyth described the NW200 as “a renowned global event that has become synonymous with Northern Ireland.”
Frequently Asked Questions
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When does the North West 200 2026 take place?
Race week of the Briggs Equipment North West 200 runs from May 4 to 9, 2026. The first on-track practice begins on Wednesday, May 6. The first races are held on Thursday evening, May 7, and the main race day with six races is Saturday, May 9.
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How many races are held at the NW200 2026?
A total of nine races are on the programme, spread across two race days. On Thursday evening, three races of 4 laps each are held (Superbike, Supersport, Superstock). On Saturday, six races follow, including three over 6 laps and two Super Twin/Sportbike races over 4 laps.
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Is Glenn Irwin racing at the NW200 2026?
Yes. Glenn Irwin returns after a year-long absence and rides a Ducati Panigale V4R for the Nitrous Competitions Racing Team. He holds the lap record at the Triangle Course and won eleven consecutive Superbike races at the event between 2017 and 2024.
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Is Davey Todd fit for the NW200 2026?
Davey Todd is working on his comeback after a severe crash at the Daytona 200 in March 2026 (fractures of the femur, tibia and foot). He has already tested again in Valencia in early May and is targeting a start, but must still receive medical clearance on site.
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Where can you watch the North West 200 2026 via livestream?
BBC Northern Ireland broadcasts all sessions and races free of charge worldwide via BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport NI website. The broadcasting contract runs until the centenary year of 2029.
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