Armoy Road Races set for biggest year yet as thousands of fans prepare to descend on County Antrim

Green flag for Armoy Road Races 2026. Pictured at Dunluce Castle are, from left, Gareth McAuley, AMRRC Chairman, Bill Kennedy MBE, AMRRC Director, William Munnis, Clerk of Course (seated), alongside road racer, Marcus Simpson and Trevor Kane, title sponsor and owner of Bayview Hotel. 

The countdown is officially underway for the 2026 Armoy Road Races, with organisers expecting thousands of spectators from across the world to descend on the County Antrim village next month for what they believe could be the event’s “biggest and best year yet”.

The green flag was waved on this year’s event during an official launch at the Bayview Hotel in Portballintrae on Wednesday, June 17, bringing together organisers, sponsors, riders and civic leaders ahead of one of Northern Ireland’s most anticipated road racing weekends.

For Armoy Motorcycle Road Racing Club, the launch marked the beginning of the final preparations for an event that has grown from a local racing fixture into an internationally recognised celebration of road racing, attracting visitors from every corner of the globe and delivering a significant economic boost to the wider Causeway Coast and Glens area.

Global audience and major economic impact

AMRRC Club members pictured at the launch of the 2026 Armoy Road Races at the Bayview Hotel, Portballintrae. Also pictured are road racers Neil Kernohan, Marcus Simpson, Michael Clyde and Paul Jordan, Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Dawn Huggins and Trevor Kane, title sponsor and owner of the Bayview Hotel. 

Among those addressing guests at the launch were Bayview Hotel owner and Race of Legends title sponsor Trevor Kane, Club Chairman Gareth McAuley, Clerk of the Course William Munnis and the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Dawn Huggins.

Speakers highlighted both the sporting significance of the event and the benefits it brings to local businesses, accommodation providers, restaurants and retailers during one of the busiest weekends of the summer tourism season.

Councillor Huggins said the Armoy Road Races had evolved into one of Northern Ireland’s premier sporting attractions and continued to draw increasing numbers of visitors to the area each year.

She said:

“What began as a two-day event has evolved into one of the most anticipated fixtures on Northern Ireland’s sporting calendar, reflecting the growing reputation of the Armoy Road Races and the increasing number of visitors who choose to holiday in our area while enjoying this unique spectacle.

“The Armoy Road Races not only celebrate Northern Ireland’s rich road racing heritage but also provide an invaluable opportunity to showcase the many attractions of our local area.

“Thousands of visitors are welcomed each year, bringing significant benefits to local businesses, accommodation providers, restaurants and retailers, helping to support jobs and strengthen the local economy.”

Top riders preparing for Armoy return

The 2025 Armoy Road Races Man of the Meeting, Paul Jordan is pictured alongside Stanley Stewart, Assistant Chairman and Director at AMRRC during this year’s launch at the Bayview Hotel, Portballintrae. 

A number of leading competitors attended the launch event, including Paul Jordan, Marcus Simpson, Neil Kernohan and Michael Clyde, who took part in a question-and-answer session with guests.

Among the headline names confirmed for this year’s event is Paul Jordan, who returns to Armoy after another successful campaign at the Isle of Man TT.

Jordan recently joined the elite “130 Club”, reserved for riders who have completed a lap of the 37.73-mile Mountain Course at an average speed exceeding 130mph.

Marcus Simpson, one of the sport’s rising stars, is also expected back at Armoy. The Manx rider set a new Senior Support lap record at the circuit in 2022 and followed that by finishing second as a newcomer at the 2023 Manx Grand Prix, where he also earned membership of the prestigious “Tommy Club” by averaging more than 120mph around the Mountain Course.

Irish rider Kevin Keyes is set to compete in the Next Generation Supersport, Open and Bayview Race of Legends races, while regular Armoy competitors Neil Kernohan and Ryan Whitehall are also expected to line up on the grid.

Organisers say additional high-profile entries are expected before rider registration closes later this week.

Club expects strongest event in its 17-year history

The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Dawn Huggins is pictured alongside road racers Michael Clyde, Paul Jordan, Marcus Simpson and Neil Kernohan during the launch of the 2026 Armoy Road Races at the Bayview Hotel, Portballintrae. 

Speaking at the launch, Club Chairman Gareth McAuley reflected on the growth of the event over the last 17 years and the role played by volunteers, sponsors and supporters in building its reputation.

“For the last 17 years, we have been attracting top-class riders and fans from every corner of the globe to Armoy,” he said.

“The races have become one of the most keenly anticipated events in road racing and as a Club, we’re so proud of this achievement.

“With the event just over one month away, our volunteers are busy putting the final preparations together for what we’re expecting to be one of the biggest and best years yet.”

McAuley said the club was already seeing strong interest from riders and spectators and expected the entry list to continue growing right up to the closing date.

“We have a number of high-profile riders already signed up to take part this year and we have no doubt that this will continue over the next few weeks until entries close,” he said.

“As with previous years, we’re also set to welcome fans from around the world, confirming on a global stage that Northern Ireland is the home of road racing.

“We have a busy programme of road racing planned throughout the weekend which will be thrilling and exciting for all the fans – we can’t wait for July.”

Sponsors recognised for long-term support

Pictured at Dunluce Castle ahead of the launch of this year’s Armoy Road Races are, from left, Gareth McAuley, AMRRC Chairman, Marcus Simpson, road racer, Bill Kennedy MBE, AMRRC Director, Trevor Kane, title sponsor and owner of the Bayview Hotel, Portballintrae and William Munnis, Clerk of Course.

The launch event also paid tribute to the businesses and individuals whose backing helps make the Armoy Road Races possible each year.

Sponsors recognised included Roadside Garages, Hilton Car Sales, Ian Hickinson, James McKillop, Raymond Hodges and TT Racing, Diamond Bar, Mermaid Club, Ducati Antrim, MJF Builders, The Essence Vault, Taggarts Barn, The TownHouse Letterkenny, John M Paterson, Hurricane Windows and Doors, Park Electrical Services, Brap Moto and the Bayview Hotel.

McAuley said the event’s continued success would not be possible without their support.

“We’re very lucky to have a group of supportive and dedicated sponsors – some of whom have been on board for many years,” he said.

“Without their generosity year after year, we simply wouldn’t be able to host an event that has become synonymous as one of the biggest events in Northern Irish road racing.”

Bayview Hotel owner Trevor Kane, whose business has supported the races since their inception, said the event’s growth had been a source of pride.

“We have been supporting the Armoy Road Races since day one and to see its growth and success over the last 17 years has been a great source of pride,” he said.

“It has become such an iconic road racing event that draws fans from near and far and at the Bayview, we’re also gearing up for a very busy weekend of hosting guests.”

Key dates for fans attending this summer

Fans planning to attend this year’s Armoy Road Races should note the following dates:

• Rider entries close on Friday, June 19.

• Bike Week begins on Saturday, July 18.

• Practice and race events culminate on Friday, July 24 and Saturday, July 25.

• The weekend concludes with the prestigious Bayview Hotel Race of Legends.

Programme packages and car parking passes are already on sale, with organisers encouraging supporters to secure their places early ahead of another busy weekend.

Part funded by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, the Armoy Road Races continue to be one of Northern Ireland’s flagship motorsport events, bringing world-class competitors, international visitors and significant economic benefits to the region while celebrating the area’s rich road racing heritage.

For more information, visit www.armoyroadraces.com.