North West 200: International road race has new date and returns to former format

The North West 200 will move back by a week in 2027 and will revert to its previous format, with the first qualifying session taking place on Tuesday.

The change of dates is to avoid a clash with the Northern Ireland Assembly and local council elections, for which polling day is scheduled for Thursday, 6 May 2027.

As a consequence, the North West will move to the following week, with first qualifying on Tuesday, 11 May, second qualifying and the first races of the programme on Thursday, 13 May, and the main race day on Saturday, 15 May.

Roads will close at 09:00 BST on all three days, with three races again scheduled for Thursday evening and the remaining six for Saturday.

It is hoped the return to the familiar practice schedule of Tuesday and Thursday will enhance the festival atmosphere around the meeting and the area around the north coast of Northern Ireland.

Opening practice had been held on Wednesday in 2024, 2025 and 2026 to facilitate the arrival of riders and teams who were participating in the traditional May Day weekend British Superbike meeting at Oulton Park.

“We talked to a number of teams and competitors when we were across at the recent BSB round at Oulton Park, to find out what their thoughts were, and every one of them was more than pleased to go back to the Tuesday and Thursday,” North West 200 Event Director Mervyn Whyte told BBC Sport NI’s Stephen Watson.

“It’s less issues, less problems, it’s good for them, and it’s good for the officials running the event because we now have a day in between.

“It will give us a longer race week festival and for us it’s the right result.”

Meanwhile the race organisers have secured a boost with the the news that Briggs Equipment are extending their title sponsorship agreement through to the event’s centenary celebrations.

The long-term commitment mirrors the recent BBC broadcast partnership deal until the meeting’s landmark anniversary in 2029.