Armoy Road Races 2026 confirmed as Bayview Hotel renews title sponsorship

Owner of the Bayview Hotel, Trevor Kane is pictured alongside William Munnis, Armoy Motorcycle Road Racing Club Director and Clerk of Course during the recent Irish Motorbike Awards. 

The Armoy Road Races 2026 will take place on Friday 24 July and Saturday 25 July, with the Armoy Motorcycle Road Racing Club (AMRRC) confirming the return of longstanding title sponsor the Bayview Hotel for a 17th consecutive year.

The announcement signals a major boost for Northern Ireland road racing and for the picturesque village of Armoy, which is set to welcome global visitors once again.

The Bayview Hotel Race of Legends remains the centrepiece of the summer event, as organisers aim to attract leading international riders and showcase the sport — and Northern Ireland — to a worldwide audience.

17 Years of Title Sponsorship Support

AMRRC Chairman Gareth McAuley confirmed that preparations for 2026 are already under way.

“It may be a few months away but excitement for this year’s event is already ramping up,” he said.

“We’re delighted to have Trevor and the team at the Bayview Hotel back on board for 2026. Trevor has been supporting the Armoy Road Races since its inception, and we’re indebted to his generosity as it helps us to host such a world-class event that puts Northern Ireland road racing on the map.”

The continued sponsorship provides stability for the volunteer-led club and reinforces the event’s place in the road racing calendar.

Trevor Kane, owner of the Bayview Hotel, said:

“There’s nothing quite like the thrill of the Armoy Road Races, being so close to the action and soaking up the atmosphere – it’s not hard to see why it’s such a popular and special event.

“Armoy holds a rich road racing history and I’m very proud to play a role in supporting it. We welcomed so many global visitors last year, which was brilliant to see, and I expect this year will be no different. I’m really looking forward to July and can’t wait to see how the riders perform across the circuit.”

2025 Champions and Record-Breaking Performances

The 2025 Bayview Hotel Race of Legends was won by Mike Browne, with Paul Jordan and Michael Sweeney closely behind after strong performances across the event.

The Supertwin races proved highly competitive, with Magherafelt rider Paul Jordan setting a new lap record to secure victory. Lap records were also broken in the Junior Classics 250 by Brian Mateer and in the 350 class by Nigel Moore.

Cork rider Mike Browne was described as the standout performer, winning both Next Generation Supersport races and the Norman MacFarlane Tarmac Contractor Open Race in addition to his Race of Legends triumph.

Global Audience of 11 Million in 2025

Last year’s event marked a significant milestone when it was streamed live on BBC Sport Northern Ireland, exposing the Armoy Road Races to a global audience for the first time.

According to figures attained by Greenlight television, the races were viewed by approximately 11 million people in countries including Abu Dhabi, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the United States of America.

The event was also broadcast on ITV4 and ITVX, reaching a combined total of 162,000 homes.

Gareth McAuley added:

“It’s brilliant to see the viewership figures for 2025’s event. On behalf of the Club, we’re extremely impressed and proud to have well and truly put Armoy on the global road racing map.

“This just goes to show the interest that is being shown in the sport currently, which will go a long way to helping to secure its future and to inspiring budding riders to become involved.”

For the village of Armoy and the wider Causeway Coast area, the international exposure and influx of visitors represent a significant boost for local businesses, hospitality providers and the wider community.

Positive Momentum for Irish Road Racing

The 2026 launch comes amid wider positive developments for motorsport across the island of Ireland, following confirmation that the Skerries 100, Kells Road Races and Athea Road Races are set to return for the first time since 2022.

“It’s a very exciting time for Irish motorcycle road racing,” Gareth said.

“The return of the Skerries 100, Kells and Athea meetings is great news for the wider sport across Ireland.

“The next few months will be busy for the Club as we put preparations in place, continue discussions with sponsors and work towards making 2026’s Armoy Road Races better than ever.”

Part funded by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, the Armoy Road Races will take place on Friday 24 July and Saturday 25 July.

For more information, visit the website: www.armoyroadraces.com or search for AMRRC on Facebook.