Galgorm Collection joins North West 200 as new 2026 sponsor ahead of May race week

One of Northern Ireland’s leading hospitality groups has announced a major new sponsorship deal with the 2026 Briggs Equipment North West 200, adding fresh commercial backing to one of the province’s biggest sporting and tourism events ahead of race week next month.

Galgorm Collection confirmed it will become an inaugural sponsor of the internationally renowned road race for the first time, with the 2026 event set to run from May 4 to May 9 along the North Coast.

The move brings together one of Northern Ireland’s largest employers in the hospitality sector with a sporting event that annually draws tens of thousands of spectators to the Causeway Coast, delivering a substantial tourism and economic boost for the wider region.

A major boost ahead of race week

The new partnership comes as preparations intensify for one of the most eagerly anticipated dates in the Northern Ireland sporting calendar.

The Briggs Equipment North West 200 has long been regarded as one of the most prestigious road races in the world, attracting elite riders and fans from across the UK, Ireland and beyond. Its combination of high-speed racing and North Coast scenery has helped cement its international reputation over decades.

For Galgorm Collection, whose portfolio includes hotels, resorts, restaurants and golf experiences across Northern Ireland, the sponsorship signals a strategic investment in a major event with proven economic reach.

Colin Johnston, CEO of Galgorm Collection, said the partnership was a natural fit.

“Northern Ireland has a rich and proud history with road racing and that heritage is exactly what drew us to the North West 200.

“Becoming a sponsor for the first time this year felt like a natural step. Supporting economic development in the communities where we operate is central to what we do at Galgorm Collection, and the North West 200 shares that ethos entirely. The event delivers real, tangible benefits, for local businesses, for tourism and for the wider region.”

The announcement underlines the continuing commercial importance of the race, not only as a sporting spectacle but as a major driver of visitor numbers for the North Coast during the early May period.

Tourism and economic impact at the heart of the partnership

The North West 200 is widely recognised as one of Northern Ireland’s flagship sporting events, with hotels, restaurants, cafés and retailers across the North Coast traditionally seeing a surge in trade during race week.

For the hospitality sector, the event is particularly significant, bringing visitors from across Ireland, Great Britain and overseas into towns and villages throughout the Causeway Coast and Glens area.

Galgorm Collection said its support reflects its longstanding commitment to initiatives that help strengthen tourism, sport and local economic growth.

With an established footprint in Northern Ireland’s tourism and leisure industry, the group said backing the event aligns with its wider mission to support the communities in which it operates.

Leigh Heggarty, Director of Business Development at Galgorm Collection, added:

“We’re genuinely excited to be part of it, and our team at Galgorm is looking forward to attending in just a few weeks’ time and would like to wish the organisers and riders the very best of luck.”

Part of a wider community commitment

The sponsorship is also being positioned as part of Galgorm Collection’s broader community engagement strategy.

The group said its wider work includes charitable initiatives, educational partnerships, and collaboration with schools, clubs and organisations across Northern Ireland.

That broader community focus, it said, sits alongside its continued commercial expansion and investment across the region.

The North West 200 partnership is expected to further strengthen the group’s visibility in Northern Ireland’s tourism and sporting sectors at a time when major events continue to play a key role in supporting regional economies.

Race organisers welcome support for world-class event

Race Director Mervyn White welcomed the new sponsorship, highlighting both the heritage of the event and the importance of continued corporate backing.

“This race has been part of the fabric of Northern Irish life for almost a century.

“That is a remarkable legacy and one we could not sustain without the backing of our sponsors. Galgorm Collection’s involvement will help us deliver a memorable world class event that attracts riders and fans from around the world, while generating a significant economic boost for the area.”

His comments reflect the central role sponsorship plays in delivering an event of this scale, from race infrastructure and safety measures to visitor experience and international promotion.

With race week now just weeks away, the announcement adds momentum to build-up around the 2026 event, which is expected to once again bring major crowds and international attention to Northern Ireland’s North Coast.

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At a glance

• Galgorm Collection has announced its first-ever sponsorship of the 2026 Briggs Equipment North West 200

• The event takes place from May 4–9

• The road race attracts tens of thousands of spectators each year

• Galgorm says the partnership supports tourism and economic development

• The hospitality group is one of Northern Ireland’s major employers

• Sponsorship forms part of its wider community engagement strategy

• Race organisers say the backing will help deliver a world-class event

• The North West 200 remains one of Northern Ireland’s most prestigious sporting occasions