The Adventure Bike Rider Festival 2026 has set new attendance records, with 20,000 tickets sold and footfall expected to exceed 100,000 over four days, organizers confirmed. The event, held at the 450-acre Ragley Hall estate in Warwickshire from June 25 to 28, attracted a significant number of riders from London and the South East, eager to swap traffic for off-road trails.
Record Growth and Global Ambitions
Ticket sales rose from 17,500 in 2025 to 20,000 in 2026, marking the largest edition in the festival's eight-year history. All major motorcycle manufacturers attended, offering 12,000 free guided road tests. Founder Alun Davies, 67, told the Standard: "The festival originally started as a few friends getting together in a field; I just thought it would be great to have a party with my mates." He added: "My vision, following the success of this year's show, is for motorcyclists to be able to say 'I've been to the ABR at Ragley Hall; now I'm off to the ABR Festival in Vietnam, Italy, wherever'."
Off-Road Trails and Challenges
A curated network of off-road trails was a key attraction. Novices tried the Beginners' Trail with tuition from London-based Phoenix Motorcycles, while experienced riders tackled around 40 km of trails through the countryside. The Trail Riders Fellowship (TRF) designed a challenging course with deep muddy water crossings, ruts, steep ascents, and descents. The Bog of Doom, a swampy corner filmed live, saw many entrants needing 4x4 recovery.
Entertainment and Speakers
Live music on five stages and 80 speakers, including Richard Hammond, Charley Boorman, John Bishop, and Carl Fogarty, entertained crowds. Expert riders Llewellyn Pavey and Chris Northover shared off-road tips, while Vanessa Ruck spoke about recovering from life-threatening injuries. The festival also featured manufacturer stalls, electric bike trials by Inch Perfect, and demonstrations by motorsport legends Chris Birch, Ken Roczen, and Kevin Gallas.
Infrastructure and Future Plans
Over £250,000 was spent on improved toilet and shower facilities, with additional water tankers for 35-degree heat. Marshalling and staff numbers increased. Davies emphasized incremental growth: "We added 2,500 more visitors this year including many from London, and we are listening carefully. We've invested heavily in more infrastructure; we are determined that while growing, we won't lose that feeling of a few mates getting together in a field." The festival hosted 200 exhibitors and offered free tours of 17th-century Ragley Hall, a collectible motorcycle display, and an adventure photography exhibition.
