NEC Classic Motor Show 2026: What to See and How to Plan Your Visit

The Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show returns to Birmingham’s NEC from Friday 13 to Sunday 15 November 2026. With thousands of cars and motorcycles, hundreds of clubs and traders, a major auction and enough halls to defeat even the most determined visitor, it rewards some advance planning.

The organisers are promoting more than 3,000 cars and bikes across seven halls, over 320 participating clubs, more than 450 specialist traders and hundreds of vehicles for sale. This is a show where a little preparation can save a lot of backtracking.

NEC Classic Motor Show 2026: essential details

Dates: Friday 13 to Sunday 15 November 2026
Opening: Friday 10am–6pm; Saturday 9am–6pm; Sunday 9am–5pm
Venue: NEC Birmingham, North Avenue, Birmingham B40 1NT
Nearest station: Birmingham International, a few minutes’ walk from the halls
Advance ticket deadline: midnight on Thursday 12 November

Advance adult tickets are currently listed from £40.20 to £47.20 including the stated transaction fee, depending on the day. Two- and three-day passes are available too. Children under five enter free with a paying adult. Prices and terms can change, so check the organiser’s ticket information before booking.

What is special about the 2026 show?

This year’s theme is “Débutant”. Participating clubs have been encouraged to bring cars that have not previously appeared at the NEC show, giving regular visitors fresh discoveries alongside familiar favourites.

Anniversary displays include 50 years of the Ford Fiesta, 60 years of the Mk2 Cortina and a century of Maserati competition history. The organiser has also announced a new YouTuber Village featuring Driven by Meg, Garage of Luke, idriveaclassic, JayEmm on Cars and Tasty Classics. Check the 2026 highlights for the latest confirmed exhibits.

Start with the club stands

The clubs are the heart of the NEC show, and often the best place to find practical ownership knowledge. If you are considering a particular model, use the exhibitor directory to locate its owners’ club before you arrive.

Speaking to several owners can reveal where cars rust, which parts are difficult to source, what an apparently small fault costs to fix and how different versions compare in everyday use. Leave time for the less obvious displays too: an original survivor, once-common family car or well-documented competition machine can be more memorable than another immaculate supercar.

Photograph the information boards as well as the cars. At the end of a long day, it is easy to forget which club, specialist or supplier gave you a useful lead.

Treat the auction as a separate show

Iconic Auctioneers will hold its NEC sales on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November. The organiser has announced more than 600 cars and motorcycles across the Iconic Sale, Classic Sale and motorcycle sale, with a combined estimate above £16 million.

Headline lots include a BMW M1, a Lamborghini Countach and a Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM AMG formerly owned by Jenson Button. The catalogue also includes garage finds, restoration projects and modern classics. Even if you are not bidding, the viewing area is a useful place to compare condition, originality and specification across very different price brackets.

Do not treat an estimate as a valuation. If a car tempts you, read the auction terms and include the buyer’s premium, VAT, collection, transport and immediate maintenance in your budget. Our practical guide to buying a classic at auction explains the checks in more detail.

Leave room for the live attractions

The show includes talks, restoration demonstrations, expert sessions, an autojumble and Sporting Bears Dream Rides. Sporting Bears offers passenger rides of around ten miles in return for a charity donation. Cars vary, and rides are selected and booked at the show on the day. Check the Dream Rides information and final timetable before travelling.

Train or car?

Birmingham International station connects to the NEC by a short covered walk, making rail a straightforward choice for many visitors. Drivers should use postcode B40 1NT and follow the electronic signs to the car parks. The NEC is close to the M42 and signposted from the M40 and M6.

The NEC recommends pre-booking parking and currently advertises a £5 saving against its standard on-the-day rate when booked in advance. A standard booking does not reserve a particular car park, so allow time for the walk or shuttle to the halls. Check the NEC parking page for current rates and terms. Electric-car charging is available in designated facilities; check whether a separate booking is required.

A workable one-day plan

The show is too large to cover methodically in one day, so pick priorities:

Before you arrive: save the latest map, choose five or six club stands, check the live programme and mark any auction lots you want to inspect.
First two hours: visit your priority clubs while the halls are manageable. If you are researching a purchase, have your questions ready.
Late morning: see the restoration demonstrations, specialist suppliers and autojumble. Take measurements or part numbers for anything you are trying to find.
After lunch: give the auction and dealer displays a dedicated block. Treat it as research, not pressure to buy.
Final hour: return to stands you rushed past and note supplier details before heading home.

Wear comfortable shoes, keep your ticket and travel details on your phone, and take a light layer you can carry. If you are taking a classic, our first classic-car show checklist covers the car and journey.

Is one day enough?

One day is enough for a rewarding visit, but not for everything. Friday may suit buyers and visitors wanting more time with specialists. Saturday offers the full show atmosphere and is likely to be the busiest. Sunday has the final auction action and an earlier finish.

A multi-day pass makes sense if you want to study the auction, attend several talks and explore the club halls at a relaxed pace. Whatever you choose, leave room for surprises: finding the car you had forgotten, meeting someone who knows its story and going home with a new idea for the garage is part of the appeal.

Event details and ticket information checked on 2 November 2026. Confirm the final timetable, prices and travel arrangements with the organiser before setting out. See the Retro Motors events calendar for more shows.

Featured photograph by Mert Kahveci on Unsplash.