North West 200

View on map
Sports & AdventurePortrush/Portstewart/Coleraine
DatesDates TBA · Usually MayCheck locally before booking
Duration1 dayListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forCompetition, enduranceGenuine public roads, not a purpose-built
LanguageEnglishCurrency: GBP
CategorySports & AdventureFestival type
The story

North West 200 in Portrush/Portstewart/Coleraine

A closed-roads motorcycle race run each May over a roughly nine-mile triangle linking Portstewart, Coleraine and Portrush on Northern Ireland's north coast. Superbikes reach speeds beyond 200 mph past hedgerows and kerbs, making it one of the largest outdoor sporting events in Ireland and a fixture of the international road-racing calendar.

The North West 200 takes its name from the original 200-mile race distance rather than any measurement of its course, a public-roads triangle of roughly nine miles linking Portstewart, Coleraine and Portrush on Northern Ireland's Causeway Coast.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Genuine public roads, not a purpose-built circuit, form the course: competitors race within touching distance of kerbs, walls and lamp posts at speeds that regularly exceed 200 mph on the fastest coastal straights

02

The mystery stays covered

The event's name preserves its 1929 origin as a 200-mile race even though the course length has changed over the decades

03

The city starts moving

Its Causeway Coast setting, passing through three linked towns rather than a single venue, gives spectators free trackside access at dozens of natural vantage points rather than a single ticketed grandstand, a format shared with only a handful of road circuits worldwide, including the Isle of Man TT

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Riders and organisers continue to treat the event as part of the same road-racing tradition as the Isle of Man TT

Water and renewal

Living ritual

with the closed-roads format and unchanged three-town course layout preserved since the event passed to the Coleraine and District Motor Club in 1964

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually May

Getting around

Plan arrival around the route or course in Portrush/Portstewart/Coleraine; closures can make normal travel slower.

What to wear

Weatherproof outdoor clothing for standing outside for hours regardless of forecast, with sturdy shoes for grass verges and rough ground at some viewing points.

Safety

At North West 200, respect barriers, moving equipment and marshal guidance; photos are never worth stepping into active areas.

Where to stay

Stay near workable transport in Portrush/Portstewart/Coleraine, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Tickets/cost

Official ticket link is available. Confirm access rules before booking.

Language/currency

GBP

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map51.51 N, 0.13 WOpen in Google Maps

Portrush/Portstewart/Coleraine, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

Nearest airportBFS — Belfast
TransportPlan arrival around the route or course in Portrush/Portstewart/Coleraine; closures can make normal travel slower.
Stay areaStay near workable transport in Portrush/Portstewart/Coleraine, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Portrush/Portstewart/Coleraine via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Portrush/Portstewart/Coleraine, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for May.Compare faresFestival gearWeatherproof outdoor clothing for standing outside for hours regardless of forecast, with sturdy shoes for grass verges and rough ground at some viewing points.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United Kingdom and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is North West 200?

North West 200 is listed for Past edition: 5 May 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does North West 200 take place?

The festival is listed in Portrush/Portstewart/Coleraine, United Kingdom. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

One day is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Portrush/Portstewart/Coleraine, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLnorthwest200.org
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually May
Source statusOfficial source linked
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