MOTORRÄDER DORTMUND off to a very strong start to the season

Five halls, more space, new vehicles, and huge community interest – TEST & RIDE AREA, RACING AREA, KIDS PARCOURS, and outdoor area boost the experience factor

Four-day show in spring-like weather leaves a distinct footprint: At the start of the season, the MOTORRÄDER DORTMUND 2026 once again demonstrated why Dortmund is an unmissable spring fixture for motorcycling enthusiasts in western Germany. With some 102,000 visitors in attendance, the fair sent a clear message. Five exhibition halls, more space, and a high concentration of two-wheelers presented the big picture, allowing head-to-head comparison and plenty of dialogue. New interactive activities, louder and quieter areas for discovery, and action in the halls and outdoor areas thrilled fans and riders alike.

Dortmund, 18 March 2026 – “This fixture at the beginning of March dovetails perfectly with the start of the season. Dortmund has been a dependable rallying point for the industry, exhibitors, and the whole community for over four decades now. And the response has been overwhelming: Full halls, highly frequented outdoor areas, and new indoor and adventure zones where visitors could engage, explore, and experiment,” said Sabine Loos, Managing Director of the Westfalenhallen Unternehmensgruppe which owns and operates the Messe Dortmund venue. This year’s Dortmund show focused even more sharply on the next generation than in previous years. With offerings for all age groups, simulators, and creator formats, the fair clearly appeals to a younger audience as well.

Powerful community: Season kick-off draws on a catchment area of millions

Located in the most highly populated German state and at the centre of one of Europe’s largest conurbations, Dortmund draws on a catchment area extending way beyond the state borders at the start of the season. Visitors hail from North Rhine-Westphalia and beyond, including northern Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Its appeal extends as far as the Rhine-Main area to the south. This reach makes Dortmund an unmissable fixture for motorcycle enthusiasts and brands at the beginning of the new season. According to a representative visitor survey, more than 75% of the visitors stated that they had no intention of attending any other similar show.

Five exhibition halls, significantly more space, and a wide-ranging product portfolio

With five exhibition halls, some 300 exhibitors, and approximately 25 brands on view, Dortmund showcased a wide-ranging model portfolio to show visitors the big picture and facilitate direct comparison. Many manufacturers didn’t just show up with some major highlights, but also gave a real bird’s eye view of their model and topic focus for the new season. These offerings were enhanced by a wide range of accessories, tyre expertise, apparel and helmets, as well as components, technical solutions and services, all centred around the motorcycle.

Outdoors ticks all the boxes – New Hall 6 a real crowd-puller

The addition of Hall 6 attracted active fans on every day. Glorious spring weather tempted throngs of visitors to make good use of the adjacent outdoor areas. The centrepiece of the New Hall 6 is the TEST & RIDE AREA: An organised test track on the exhibition centre grounds where the latest enduro and road bikes can be put through their paces. Seeing as a vast number of riders rode to Dortmund on their own machines, many of them already had all the right kit with them, including helmets and protective clothing. Any missing gear could also be borrowed on request.

This saw the MOTORRÄDER DORTMUND creating a novel format hitherto unknown at German motorcycle trade fairs. Some of the latest machines were available for test rides. Other interactive activities in Hall 6, such as the wheelie simulator with Dirk Manderbach, also received wide acclaim.

Next generation and creator scene – A cross-generational experience to kick-start the season

The MOTORRÄDER DORTMUND also set clear priorities for young and old alike. One of the highlights was the KIDS PARCOURS (for ages 6 and up), which gave young visitors their first taste of riding under professional supervision. The increasing appeal of the Dortmund exhibition to younger audiences at the start of the season was evidenced by the extensive use of the simulators and interactive formats, as well as high levels of interest in digital content: On Sunday, a livestream in the youth segment reached over half a million clicks and almost 30,000 simultaneous viewers. Numerous content creators from the industry were also at the venue, bringing the show to life for their communities.

Voices from the industry: Clear benefits for exhibitors

Exhibitors at the fair confirmed the value-add of the MOTORRÄDER DORTMUND, praising the immediate one-to-one feedback from the clientèle, a noticeable boost in post-exhibition business, and great potential for closing deals (comments and quotes from industry representatives are included as a separate document in the release). The event next takes place from 4 to 7 March, 2027.

Focus on travel and adventure, plus Bike Woman of the Year

Travel, tourism, and adventure were once again a focal point that clearly attracted many visitors to the fair. The ADVENTURE & TRAVEL STAGE in Hall 2 combined tour ideas, expertise, and community interaction. Another programme highlight was the “Bike Woman of the Year” Award (bike & business). The award was presented for the ninth time and testifies to the commitment and achievements of women in the motorised two-wheeler business and in voluntary work.

Revamped Hall 3, and Hall 4 featuring a wide range of brands, Main Stage and RACING AREA

The “hardware” was mainly on show in the spacious manufacturers’ Hall 4 and the revitalised Hall 3, which served as a shopfront showcasing strong brand identities. Renowned makes including Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Suzuki, CFMOTO, KTM, HONDA, BMW, BENDA, SW-MOTECH, Kawasaki, and Triumph presented their latest standouts and innovations. Talks, product highlights, and all the latest gen were presented in daily sessions on the Main Stage (powered by MOTORRAD). Another fresh new feature was the RACING AREA offering a digital racing experience on real machines. This presented racing not as a solo activity, but as an experience shared in small groups with head-to-head comparison and a community character. The Racing Simulator was especially well received.

Shows, rare motorcycles, and the inaugural DUST MOTO SHOW The CIRCUS TRIAL TOUR thrilled audiences with the Dortmund premiere of the DUST MOTO SHOW showing spectacular stunts several times a day. The show line-up was complemented by a BMX Flatland Performance starring Adam Kun. Another eyecatcher was the REVIERBIKE SONDERSCHAU which presents exceptional customisations, and was further enhanced by tricked-out scooters and mopeds for the first time this year. The exclusive HIDDEN CHAMPIONS exhibition further enriched the show. The PS.SPEICHER, Europe’s largest transport museum experience, presented rare motorcycles from several decades and told of bold concepts extending well beyond the illustrious legends.

MOTORRÄDER DORTMUND 2026 – what exhibitors had to say:

Constantin Heinemann, Head of Marketing Europe, Benda Motor Europe GmbH
“There aren’t many exhibitions where the manufacturers spare absolutely no effort quite like they do in Dortmund. Everybody goes the extra mile for the MOTORRÄDER DORTMUND, and we, too, aim to offer visitors a real treat at the start of the season. The vast catchment area doesn’t just draw the biking community, but also ensures a strong media presence and wide coverage. For us, Dortmund is the perfect platform for bolstering our position in the market, promoting our products and, at the same time, putting the dealerships in the spotlight.”

Thomas Barankay, Head of Marketing and Product, BMW Motorrad Deutschland
“The MOTORRÄDER DORTMUND is a key event in our line of business because it directly links up the end of the exhibition season with the start of the new riding season. The fact that all the big names from the motorcycle, accessories, and riderwear sectors are represented here clearly demonstrates the major significance of this fair. With the open biker community in the Ruhr area and all the bona fide petrolhead talk at the stand, Dortmund serves both as an industry gathering and a season kick-starter.”

Peter Kleinhuis, CEO, Clubmotul (Clubmotul is responsible for shopde.motul.com)
“Compared with other shows, this exhibition offers decidedly more variety in terms of exhibitors, with major and smaller players offering something for everyone in the whole family. For us at MOTUL, direct contact with end users is key. The MOTORRÄDER DORTMUND is the perfect place to contact end consumers directly, learn about their needs and wishes, and really get to know your customers.”

Christian Kleß, Head of Sales Motorcycle Tires DACH/EastCentral, Continental Reifen Deutschland
“The MOTORRÄDER DORTMUND is an important platform for us to engage directly with the biking community in the region. The wide range of attractions at the show – from the supporting programme and free parking for motorcyclists to hotspots such as the RACING AREA – is a strong incentive for visitors, and makes Dortmund a well-established meeting point. This is a
valuable opportunity for us to present our products and get immediate feedback on how they’re used and perceived in practice. It’s precisely this immediate contact that makes the trade fair so very relevant for Continental.”

Ramona Foerth, Back Office and Sales, Ducati Düsseldorf
“The MOTORRÄDER DORTMUND is THE trade fair in Germany. It’s a highly regarded household name in the industry, and that’s exactly the feeling you get there – the atmosphere, the quality of the discussions, and the vibe in the halls. We value the direct, genuine encounters with the customers, regardless of whether it’s our first interaction or existing clientèle asking probing questions. The enormous range of products on offer at the show is also reflected by the visitor demographic – the atmosphere is fantastic.”

Albert Erlacher, Head of MC, Honda Deutschland
“The MOTORRÄDER DORTMUND is very well attended every year and is a key milestone on our calendar between the exhibition season and the start of the season. We come to Dortmund full of anticipation every year, and have never been disappointed. For us, Dortmund is the main show for the biking community because every facet of motorcycling is represented here – from manufacturers and tour operators to all the various associations. The community knows that the season doesn’t really start until you’ve been to Dortmund.”

Steffen Walther, Sales Manager, LS2 MOTOGEAR EUROPE S.L.U
“We’re absolutely delighted with the MOTORRÄDER DORTMUND. This exhibition is the perfect stage for us to showcase our evolution from a traditional helmet manufacturer to a 360° full-range supplier. Lots of visitors take the opportunity to learn about our latest products, such as the new X-Master Jacket. For us, it’s all about the mix at this fair, where the biker next door gets to meet international top managers and company owners – the combination of B2C and B2B is very special in Dortmund.”

Maria Scavuzzo Consumer Marketing Specialist Moto – METZELER Motorradreifen
“We’re a regular exhibitor, and the MOTORRÄDER DORTMUND has been a fixture on our calendar for years. We focus mainly on direct customer contact, presenting our products and engaging face-to-face at the venue. At the same time, Dortmund allows us to gather valuable feedback, offer comprehensive details, and give specific advice.”

Alexander Kolisch, Director/Senior Manager Marketing & E-Commerce, POLO Motorrad und Sportswear GmbH
“The MOTORRÄDER DORTMUND is a very special event for us every year because it offers a perfect setting for meeting up with the community and direct personal engagement. The exhibition is a red-letter event for the motorcycling scene every year. It was the perfect stage for rolling-out our new slogan, ‘Soulmates to your ride’ here, and, more importantly, breathing life into it.”

Stephan Richter, Head of Press/Public Relations, PS-SPEICHER
Being a museum, PS.SPEICHER naturally added a dash of historical mobility to the show – twelve motorcycles, each with its own unique story. We received a great deal of positive, friendly, and knowledgeable feedback from visitors to our stand. All in all, we got off to a flying start at the MOTORRÄDER DORTMUND, and look forward to continuing the cooperation.”

Christian Kühnen, Product Development Manager, RACEFOXX
“The MOTORRÄDER DORTMUND is very well attended and kept us really busy over the weekend. What was particularly striking, however, was how many genuine bikers visited the stand – more apparent than ever before, including many youngsters. That’s exactly what makes Dortmund so special for us: Most of the visitors are really clued up and interested specifically in motorcycles; it’s not just a show audience. And the mix at the fair is really impressive, too – exciting stands, fascinating exhibitors – and newcomers are also very well received. In terms of logistics, Dortmund is clearly the leading trade fair in the region for us. We’ve been on board for 16 years now, and always enjoy coming back.”

Gregory De Goes, Junior Marketing Manager, SCHUBERTH GmbH
“For us, the MOTORRÄDER DORTMUND is the main exhibition in Germany. So we’re especially pleased to present the S5 ANC, a helmet with active noise cancellation, as a German premiere, and at the same time to introduce the S3 Carbon, our lightest touring helmet featuring an out-of-the-box communication system. The feedback on both new products has been astonishingly positive so far, making us very confident about launching the product. We particularly appreciate the chance to engage directly with customers here – so we’ll be coming back for sure.”

Martin Anderson, Marketing Manager Events & Motorsport, Triumph Motorcycles Ltd.
“The MOTORRÄDER DORTMUND is very well attended, and its sharp focus on the target group is what makes the fair so valuable for us, because we can talk straight to customers here and get immediate feedback from the community. That’s why, along with other new models such as the Tracker 400, we also brought along the new Trident 800, allowing exhibition visitors not just an opportunity to get a look and feel, but also a chance to win one as part of a competition.”

Noah Wilbers, Sales Manager, Wilbers Products GmbH
“The MOTORRÄDER DORTMUND is on our calendar every year as a matter of course. The programme line-up is excellent, the organisation is fantastic and pleasantly straightforward – which is not always the case at these events. With the TEST & RIDE AREA, the Stunt Show and the RACING AREA, the show is also very visitor-friendly and appeals to a younger audience, which is reflected overall in the very positive feedback. The fact that visitors know we’re coming, seek us out specifically with a view to making contact because of the advice and trade fair discounts they can get, is what makes the fair so important to us. We already booked our place for 2027.”

Kathrin Wunderlich, Head of Marketing and Communications, Wunderlich GmbH
“We’ve been coming to the MOTORRÄDER DORTMUND for two decades; we’re almost part of the furniture. Often coinciding with the start of the motorcycling season, it’s an event we all look forward to. In the open-hearted, warm atmosphere of the Ruhr region, we are delighted to present our latest component offerings for BMW, Ducati, and Harley-Davidson to an expert audience. This year’s line-up – spearheaded by the Wunderlich BMW R 1300 GS EDITION X – and our innovative range of accessories attracted significant interest, so the MOTORRÄDER DORTMUND was yet another resounding success for us.”

Irene Seidler, Certified Driving Safety & Mental Coach and motorcycle trainer instructor, Kurven Räubertochter/Heels on Wheels
“The response to the KIDS PARCOURS and the TEST & RIDE area was truly amazing. That’s exactly what sets the MOTORRÄDER DORTMUND apart. The fair has become almost like a small family reunion – and this is now my tenth year here. You meet people who were there last year, and they proudly tell you everything they’ve tried since then, what works, and where their journey is taking them. At the same time, there’s fresh energy in the air without losing that warmth. And these open stand concepts are just cool because they really draw people in and encourage dialogue. This is the spirit that makes the MOTORRÄDER DORTMUND so incredibly valuable to the community, and sets it well apart from other run-of-the-mill trade fairs.”

EXHIBITION AT A GLANCE

Once a year, the Messe Dortmund is transformed into a paradise for motorcycle fans when MOTORRÄDER Dortmund—one of Germany’s largest motorcycle shows—opens its doors. Here, everything revolves around the fascination of two wheels: leading manufacturers present their latest models, complemented by a wide range of accessories, clothing, and services related to motorcycles. An action-packed supporting program with spectacular stunt shows, test rides, and special exhibitions gives the fair its special experiential character. Whether discovering new products or simply getting carried away by the passion for motorcycles, the fair is the ideal meeting place for all two-wheel enthusiasts.

DATE: March 5–8, 2026   March 4–7, 2027 ORGANISER: Messe Dortmund GmbH   PARKING  MOTORCYCLES:   Free parking for visitors arriving by motorcycle   (Parking Lot A3)

VISITORS:    102,000 motorcyclists    EXHIBITORS:    Approximately 300 companies and brands