Motorcycle Live organisers upbeat following positive first weekend at annual NEC show

Thousands of bikers have flooded into the halls of Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre (NEC) for the start of the annual Motorcycle Live show.

The nine-day Midlands celebration kicked off on Saturday, November 16 and will run until Sunday, November 24 – with a host of new features laid on in a bid to attract a new stream of motorcycle enthusiasts.

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“Attendance figures for the first weekend are buoyant,” Managing Director, Finlay McAllan said. “It’s too early to start numbers, and I don’t want to tempt fate, but we’re confident that we’re going to see an increase on our numbers from the previous year.”

New additions to the show include street food vendors, a return for stunt and MX shows, and even live music – with a full festival theme set to be laid on during the final Saturday evening with 2000 tickets available.

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Running from 5.30pm onwards, acts include Rick Parfitt Junior and the RPJ Band, with additional live stunt shows laid on to enhance the spectacle.

“The festival at the end of the week is generating a lot of interest and people are asking a lot of questions,” McAllan continued. “Again, that’s something new we haven’t done before and for someone like me, who’s done this for a long time, every day is a school day.”

Old favourites such as test rides, and an indoor off-road adventure course have also been retained – with the first Sunday of the event hosting ‘BSB Day’ in celebration of British Superbike championship riders past and present.

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Amongst them was 2024 champion Kyle Ryde, with additional names including Tommy Bridewell, Richard Cooper, John McGuinness, Lee Jackson, Glenn Irwin, and more.

Those not wishing to take to the road can also test their on-track ability with a static sim racing challenge. For more information, visit the Motorcyclelive website today.