All you need to know about the 2026 Isle of Man TT
Michael Dunlop has won a record 33 Isle of Man TT races
- Published
The Isle of Man TT is one of the most iconic events in motorsport and presents riders and machines with the most demanding challenge in motorcycle road racing.
Held on closed public roads over the unforgiving 37.73-mile Mountain Course, the TT is regarded as the pinnacle of the sport and those who win, and compete in, the renowned races are held in the highest esteem.
This year's meeting takes place from Monday, 25 May to Saturday, 6 June, with the first week dedicated to practice and qualifying and the racing programme scheduled to start on Saturday, 30 May,
BBC Sport brings you up to speed with all you need to know about the 2026 edition of the event.
Practice and race schedule (times BST)
Practices
Monday 25 May - all roads closed from 10:00 BST - Morning free practice from 10:45 and First qualifying from 14:15
Tuesday 26 May - all roads closed from 18:00 - Second qualifying from 18:30
Wednesday 27 May - all roads closed from 12:30 - Third qualifying from 13:00
all roads closed from 18:00 - Fourth qualifying from 18:30
Friday 29 May - all roads closed from 10:00 - Fifth qualifying from 10:30 & Sixth qualifying from 13:15
Races
Saturday 30 May - Superstock TT race one (3 laps), 10:45
Sidecar TT race one (3 laps), 13:30
Sunday 31 May - Superbike TT (6 laps), 13:30
Tuesday 2 June - Supersport TT race one (4 laps), 10:45
Sportbike TT race one (3 laps), 14:00
Wednesday 3 June - Sidecar TT race two (3 laps), 10:45
Superstock TT race two (3 laps), 13:30
Friday 5 June - Supersport race two (4 laps), 10:45
Sportbike race two (3 laps), 14:00
Saturday 6 June - Senior TT (6 laps), 11:00
*All times are subject to change
Who are the likely winners?
Michael Dunlop is much fancied to add to his record tally of wins, his total of 33 now including five four-timers in 2013, 2014, 2023, 2024 and 2025.
The Ballymoney rider will start as a heavy favourite in the Supersport class in which he boasts a record 15 victories, including doubles in each of the past four years.
The 37-year-old has also dominated the Supertwins class on his Paton with seven wins but will look to increase his total of triumphs in the 1000cc classes, including in the Superstock category, in which he has not won a race since 2014.
Last year, the Northern Ireland rider gave Ducati their first TT win for 30 years and in addition to riding a bike supplied by the Italian manufacturer in the Supersport class again this time out, Dunlop may opt to ride for them in the Superbike and Senior as well. In total, he has won on bikes supplied by seven different manufacturers and has racked up 51 podium finishes - another record.
After missing last year's races because of injuries sustained in a practice crash at the event, course record holder Peter Hickman will look to add to his 14 previous wins when he takes to the track on his 8Ten Racing BMWs, Supersport Triumph and Yamaha R7 Supertwin.
His previous dominance in larger capacity classes is emphasised by the fact that he won 10 of 13 1000cc races from 2018 on.
With three-time winner Davey Todd ruled out through injury, Dean Harrison is the other most likely candidate to occupy the top step of the podium.
The Yorkshire rider, 35-times a rostrum finisher, took victory in both Superstock races in 2025 to make it five career wins overall and he continues for a third season with Honda Racing.
Between them, Dunlop, Hickman, Harrison and Todd have won 40 of the past 41 solo TTs, but a number of other riders will have ambitions of achieving top-three places and even breaking the domination of that illustrious quartet.
Australian two-time British Superbike champion Josh Brookes, Manx riders Conor Cummins and Nathan Harrison, 16-time winner Ian Hutchinson, 23-time victor John McGuinness, Jamie Coward, Paul Jordan, Dominic Herbertson, Mike Browne, David Johnson and Rob Hodson should all contend for high leaderboard placings.
Ryan and Callum Crowe look well placed to continue their domination of the sidecar class which has seen them notch doubles in both of the past two years.
Lap records
Superbike - Michael Dunlop, Honda, 135.970mph, 2024
Senior - Peter Hickman, BMW, 136.358mph, 2023
Superstock - Peter Hickman, BMW, 136.358moh, 2023
Supersport - Michael Dunlop, Yamaha, 130.436mph, 2023
Supertwins - (now Sportbike) - Michael Dunlop, Paton, 123.056mph, 2025
Sidecars - Ben & Tom Birchall, Honda, 120.645mph, 2023
2025 solo race results
Dean Harrison took his first TT wins since 2019 at the 2025 running of the event
Superbike race - 1 Davey Todd; 2 Michael Dunlop ; 3 Dean Harrison
Supersport race one - 1 Michael Dunlop; 2 Dean Harrison; 3 James Hillier
Superstock race one - 1 Dean Harrison; 2 Davey Todd; 3 Michael Dunlop
Supertwins race one - 1 Michael Dunlop; 2 Rob Hodson; 3 Paul Jordan
Supersport race two - 1 Michael Dunlop; 2 Dean Harrison; 3 Davey Todd
Superstock race two - 1 Dean Harrison; 2 Davey Todd; 3 Michael Dunlop
Supertwins race two - 1 Michael Dunlop; 2 Davey Todd; 3 Dominic Herbertson
The Senior TT was cancelled because of adverse weather conditions
What's new for 2026?
Changes to the schedule for the 2026 edition include the introduction of an extra scheduled rest day on the Thursday of practice week, a greater number of contingency options and the Superstock and Supersport classes switching places in the race running order.
An update to the Supertwin class will allow Sportbike specification machines to compete for the first time.
This move reflects the wider development of the Sportbike class internationally and its adoption in the World and British Superbike Championships.
Existing eligible Paton S1-R, Aprilia RS660, Kawasaki Z650 and Yamaha YZF-R7 machines will now be joined by Triumph Daytona 660 and Suzuki GSX-8R bikes, as well as the Chinese CF Moto 675SR-R.
Most TT wins by solo riders
33 - Michael Dunlop; 26 - Joey Dunlop; 23 - John McGuinness; 16 - Ian Hutchisnson; 14 - Mike Hailwood, Peter Hickman; 12 - Bruce Anstey, Ian Lougher; 11 - Steve Hislop, Phillip McCallen
Fastest laps by individual riders
1 Peter Hickman, 136.358mph; 2 Michael Dunlop, 135.970; 3 Dean Harrison, 135.692; 4 Davey Todd, 135.644; 5 Josh Brookes, 134.056; 6 Conor Cummins, 133.116; 7 Ian Hutchinson, 133.115; 8 James Hillier, 132.703; 9 John McGuinness, 132.701; 10 Jamie Coward, 132.696
Race records
Senior (6 laps) - Peter Hickman, BMW, 2023, 1 hour 42 minutes 29.489; 132.526mph average speed
Superbike (6 laps) - Michael Dunlop, Honda, 2023, 1:43.01.855, 131.832
Supersport (4 laps) - Michael Dunlop, Yamaha, 2023, 1:10.50.234, 127.831
Supertwin (3 laps) - Michael Dunlop, Paton, 2025, 56,04.007, 121.131
Superstock (3 laps) - Peter Hickman, BMW, 2023, 50.48.301, 133.675
Sidecar (3 laps) - Ben & Tom Birchall, Honda, 2023, 56.41.816, 119.784mph
