Families looking for the ultimate school holidays day out can look forward to an unforgettable experience as Paddington, Skye from PAW Patrol and Sonic the Hedgehog arrive at The British Motor Show 2026, taking place this summer between 21-23 August 2026 at Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre.
Alongside hundreds of the latest new cars, supercars and family favourites, younger visitors will have the chance to see some of their most-loved characters brought to life, making The British Motor Show a must-visit destination for parents and children alike.
Little ones can enjoy magical meet-and-greet moments with the much-loved British icon Paddington on Sunday 23 August, perfect for photos and memories that will last long after the day is over.
Meanwhile, the heroic cockapoo Skye from PAW Patrol will be on hand to delight young fans on the opening day of Friday 21 August, bringing plenty of excitement, smiles and tail-wagging fun.
Adding to the action, Sonic the Hedgehog will make a high-energy appearance on Saturday 22 August, thrilling kids with his unmistakable style and larger-than-life personality and participating in E-sports and gaming inspired zone – The Grid.
The character appearances are just one part of a packed programme designed with families in mind. From high-octane action shows, live music and interactive outdoor displays to food stalls and hands-on driving children’s experiences, there’s something to keep every age group entertained throughout the day.
Expect brand-new zones and features, including The Showroom, The Grid, an expanded Ride & Drive, and Festival Fields. Dive into car culture at Lowered & Loud, inspire young minds in the Discovery Garage, and marvel at dream machines in the Supercar Paddock.
With a new refreshed layout and programme of entertainment, parents can relax knowing The British Motor Show is designed to be welcoming, accessible and great value, with children under five going free and new for 2026, under 17s go free with a paying adult.
Whether you’re car-mad, character-obsessed, or simply looking for a fun-filled family adventure this summer, The British Motor Show at Farnborough, Hampshire promises to be the UK’s ultimate family celebration of motoring.
Visitors can save 30% with early bird tickets, available until 31 May 2026, and under 17s go free with a paying adult. Family tickets (2 adults and 2 children) are available from just £55 and adult tickets from £27.50. Plus tickets purchased now are valid for any day of the show – available for a limited time only.
Premium European car brands remain the most aspirational for UK buyers, while EV-focused manufacturers and emerging Chinese OEMs are rapidly gaining attention, according to new data from The British Motor Show audience.
The British Motor Show is set to be the UK’s biggest test drive weekend and an analysis of test-drive responses from more than 220 of our 2026 ticket buyersreveal which automotive brands are capturing the most interest among UK consumers.
Premium brands still lead aspiration
Luxury manufacturers continue to dominate buyer interest. BMW topped the list, mentioned by 52% of respondents, followed by Audi (48%) and Mercedes-Benz (41%).
The results highlight how brand prestige, heritage and perceived quality remain key drivers in UK car buying consideration.
EV brands are driving curiosity
Electrification is also shaping brand perception. EV-focused manufacturers including Polestar (26%), Tesla (25%) and BYD (23%) generated strong interest among visitors exploring new electric vehicles.
Chinese manufacturers gaining visibility
The research also shows growing awareness of Chinese brands entering the UK market, including Jaecoo, Omoda, XPeng and Leapmotor.
Aspiration vs real-world market share
While premium brands attract attention at consumer events, the wider UK market is still dominated by high-volume manufacturers such as Ford, Volkswagen, Kia and Nissan.
Together, the findings highlight how premium brand aspiration, EV innovation and new global entrants are shaping the future of the UK automotive market.
Limited spaces remain for OEM manufacturers and dealers to participate in this year’s British Motor Show with our new Showroom and Test Drive offering.
The British Motor Show locks in Avery Dennison for Wrap Championships return
Avery Dennison is returning to the British Motor Show as the Official Sponsor of the UK Wrap Championships 2026, marking the second consecutive year of partnership for the globally recognised materials science and graphics solutions leader.
This year the Wrap Championships will take centre stage in Hall 1, the event’s main indoor exhibition alongside Cardusio, reinforcing the competition’s status as one of the show’s premier live attractions.
Avery Dennison will use the championship platform to showcase its industry-leading automotive graphics solutions on a national stage. The partnership highlights a strong focus on aftermarket automotive materials, including paint protection film (PPF) and vehicle wrapping, whether full colour change or bespoke, one-off designs.
Across three action-packed days, four of the UK’s top vehicle wrapping teams will go head-to-head in a live competitive environment, battling for the UK Wrap Champion title. Each day of the competition will feature a different creative theme, testing skill, speed, precision, and design innovation in front of a live audience. The reigning champions, Prestige Graphics, return to defend their title.
“We’re proud to return to the British Motor Show as Official Sponsor of the UK Wrap Championships for a second consecutive year,” said Darnell Hahn, UK & Scandinavia Area Senior Sales Manager at Avery Dennison. “This competition reflects what Avery Dennison stands for – innovation, craftsmanship, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with automotive graphics. With the championships taking place at the heart of the show, it gives vehicle owners a front-row seat to the skill behind wrapping and paint protection, while also allowing us to engage directly with the community, share expertise, and showcase how our materials can help personalise, protect, and transform vehicles.”
In addition to the main championship action, visitors can expect live demonstrations throughout the show, hands-on opportunities to try wrapping techniques themselves, and access to industry experts who will be on hand to offer advice, guidance, and insights into materials, tools, and best practices.
With Avery Dennison’s continued support and an expanded presence on the show floor, the UK Wrap Championships 2026 promises to be bigger, bolder, and more immersive than ever, cementing its position as a must-see feature for automotive enthusiasts, professionals, and aspiring wrappers alike.
The British Motor Show 2026 takes place from 21 to 23 August and is expected to welcome tens of thousands of visitors, offering manufacturers, partners, and sponsors an unrivalled opportunity to connect directly with UK consumers and the wider automotive community.
Attendees can save 30% with super early bird tickets, available until 31 May 2026, and under 17s go free with a paying adult. Family tickets (2 adults and 2 children) available from just £55 and adult tickets from £27.50.
BMS VIP tickets are also available, enabling ticket holders to enjoy exclusive perks and unrivalled access for the ultimate experience. Get your tickets now
Passenger drift rides return to The British Motor Show this August, as Drift Limits bring its popular Drift Taxi experience back to the event.
Part of the show’s Ride and Drive Zone, the experience gives visitors the chance to head out on track alongside a professional driver in a purpose-built drift car. It has become one of the most popular attractions at the show for those looking to add some extra adrenaline to their day.
Based at London Motor Circuit, Drift Limits is best known for its high-adrenaline driving experiences, and this August it will be bringing that same drifting thrill to Farnborough. Visitors will get the chance to experience it first-hand, riding shotgun as professional drivers throw the cars around a tight, custom-built course.
Individual and group bookings will be available, with advance booking recommended due to limited spaces whilst also allowing you to skip the queue.
The British Motor Show takes place at Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre from 21 to 23 August 2026, with passenger rides available to add during ticket checkout or book separately if you have already purchased tickets.
Please use the ‘Already ordered tickets’ button and enter your booking reference to add any driving experiences to your order.
And with Kids Go Free, up to 30% off with Early Bird, and valid any one‑day tickets, it’s the ideal Easter surprise and the perfect way to make the most of your summer.
Bridgestone & Kwik Fit Return as New Live Arena and Supercar Paddock Sponsor at The British Motor Show 2026
Bridgestone, in partnership with Kwik Fit, has announced its return to The British Motor Show and has become the official sponsor of the Live Arena and Supercar Paddock for the 2026 edition. This marks the fifth consecutive year that the two automotive leaders have supported the show’s most popular and high-energy attractions.
Renowned for delivering adrenaline-fuelled demonstrations, thrilling live performances, and an up-close showcase of the world’s most desirable supercars, the Live Arena and Supercar Paddock have become centrepieces of The British Motor Show experience. Bridgestone and Kwik Fit’s continued sponsorship partnership underlines their long-standing joint commitment to performance, safety, innovation, and engaging automotive fans of all ages.
Consumer Sales Director for Bridgestone UK Drew Chapman commented –
“We’re thrilled to return to the British Motor Show with Kwik Fit for our fifth consecutive year. Spanning three exciting days, the event offers a fantastic day out for families and passionate car fans alike. Performance is at the core of everything we do at Bridgestone, so we’re proud to be at the centre of the action as sponsors of the Bridgestone in partnership with Kwik Fit Live Arena and the Supercar Paddock.”
Andy Lane, Marketing Director at Kwik Fit, added:
“We’re proud to be partnering with Bridgestone once again at the British Motor Show. The thrilling stunts and extreme performance in the Live Arena and Supercar Paddock may seem a world away from everyday motoring, but there is a common thread. All drivers need to have confidence in their car – whether up on two wheels in the arena or popping to the shops on the road. This event is the perfect place to connect with motorists of all ages and share how our expertise, combined with the quality and performance of Bridgestone tyres, helps keep the nation’s drivers safe on the road.”
Visitors to the 2026 show can once again expect an action-packed programme in the Live Arena, alongside a spectacular display of cutting-edge supercars in the Supercar Paddock. Bridgestone and Kwik Fit experts will also be on hand throughout the event, sharing insight on tyre safety, vehicle maintenance, and the importance of keeping drivers road ready. The British Motor Show 2026 takes place 21-23 August 2026 and is expected to welcome tens of thousands of visitors, offering manufacturers, partners, and sponsors an unrivalled opportunity to connect directly with UK consumers and the wider automotive community.
Halo Appointed Exclusive Test Drive Booking Partner for The British Motor Show 2026
HALO, the automotive industry’s dedicated appointment and test drive booking platform, has been confirmed as the exclusive test drive booking partner for The British Motor Show 2026.
The partnership will see HALO power all test drive bookings at the 2026 show, delivering a fully integrated booking and scheduling solution designed to support manufacturers operating at scale while improving visitor experience and data quality.
Using HALO’s platform, attendees will be able to pre-book test drives ahead of the event, selecting preferred vehicles, manufacturers, and time slots in advance. This approach ensures visitors arrive on-site with confirmed appointments, significantly reducing queues, and on-the-day inefficiencies. At the British Motor Show 2025, 72% of attendees were considering the purchase of their next car, and 30% have already registered their interest in test drives at the 2026 event.
For manufacturers and exhibitors, HALO provides a centralised system to manage test drive activity across multiple brands and vehicle fleets. The platform enables real-time management of availability, capacity, and scheduling, while capturing accurate customer data both before and during the event. Live visibility of bookings and attendance allows teams to optimise resource allocation and maximise engagement throughout the show.
Andy Entwistle, CEO of The British Motor Show, commented: “Test drives are a critical part of the visitor journey and a key commercial opportunity for manufacturers. Partnering with HALO allows us to deliver a more structured, data driven, and scalable test drive experience for 2026. This collaboration ensures exhibitors can operate efficiently while visitors enjoy a smoother, more professional experience from booking through to driving.”
Harry Pennington, Strategy & Development Director at RGML, said: “We’re proud to be supporting one of the UK’s most important automotive showcases and helping to raise the standard for how test drive experiences are delivered at scale, giving manufacturers better control and visitors a smoother, more engaging experience.”
As part of the partnership, The British Motor Show is the exclusive event user of HALO for 2026, reinforcing The British Motor Show’s commitment to operational excellence and innovation, while positioning HALO at the centre of one of the UK’s most significant automotive retail and manufacturer showcases. The British Motor Show 2026 takes place 21-23 August and is expected to welcome tens of thousands of visitors, offering manufacturers, partners, and sponsors an unrivalled opportunity to connect directly with UK consumers and the wider automotive community.
The British Motor Show launches 9 new features and free kids tickets for 2026 edition
The British Motor Show has launched a new event layout, 9 new features, and free tickets for kids under 17 for its 2026 edition.
Taking place at Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre from 21-23 August 2026, The British Motor Show is more than just a car show, it’s a four-day spectacle delivering live entertainment, interactive displays and driving experiences for the whole family.
New features for 2026 include:
The Showroom: The latest cars, leading brands & live reviews.
The Grid: Hand-on sim-racing, e-sports & iconic driving games.
Lowered and Loud: All things car culture, style & custom-builds.
The Yard: Get up close to high-octane motorsport & modified machines.
Pit Lane: Go behind-the-scenes of the world of competitive racing.
Festival Fields: Good vibes, great food, family fair rides & live music.
Discovery Garage: An interactive inspiration for the next generation of car lovers.
The Club Hub: Classic cars, modified rides, unique builds & passionate owners.
Marketplace: Shop ’till you drop where there’s something for the whole family.
Fan favorites returning in 2026:
The Live Arena: Celebrity guests, adrenaline-fueled action & jaw-dropping stunts.
Test Drives: Get behind the wheel of all the latest makes and models.
The Lego Group Live Stage in partnership with Smyths Toys: Special guests, family entertainment, The Lego Motor Show Shop plus make and take race cars.
Supercar Paddock: A showcase of the finest exotic & high-performance vehicles.
Ride & Drive: Feel the thrill with drift taxis, dream rides, under 17 driving & more. Attendees can save up to 60% with super early bird tickets, available until 31 December 2025, and under17s go free with a paying adult. Family tickets (2 adults and 2 children) available from just £49.90 and adult tickets from £24.95.
BMS VIP tickets are also available, enabling ticket holders to enjoy exclusive perks and unrivalled access for the ultimate experience.
🧱 Fun, Bricks and Big Laughs: The LEGO® Group Live Stage in Partnership with Smyths Toys Steals the Show!
If you were anywhere near the LEGO® Group Live Stage at this year’s British Motor Show, you’ll know exactly where the fun was happening! In partnership with Smyths Toys, the stage was bursting with energy all weekend — a non-stop mix of gameshows, interviews, speed build challenges, giveaways and laughter.
And leading the charge? None other than Tim and Fuzz from Car SOS, who brought their trademark banter, humour and infectious enthusiasm to the stage. Whether they were challenging families to lightning-fast LEGO® builds or chatting to special guests about their motoring passions, the pair had crowds cheering, laughing and joining in from start to finish.
Families got stuck into all sorts of interactive fun — from testing their trivia skills in high-energy gameshows to showing off their creative side in the LEGO® speed build challenges. Every day was packed with prizes from Smyths Toys, adding even more excitement as lucky winners walked away with bags of LEGO® goodies and big smiles to match.
Between the laughter, the builds and the brilliant atmosphere, the LEGO® Group Live Stage perfectly captured the spirit of The British Motor Show — bringing families together through creativity, play and a shared love of all things automotive.
It wasn’t just a stage — it was a celebration of imagination, teamwork and fun, and we can safely say it was one of the weekend’s biggest hits.
Here’s to more bricks, more builds and even bigger fun next year! 🧡🏎️
LEGO McLaren P1 Wows Visitors at The British Motor Show 2025
This August, The British Motor Show 2025 in Farnborough featured a standout attraction that captivated visitors of all ages, a full-size McLaren P1 constructed entirely from LEGO bricks. This remarkable display was the result of a collaboration between the LEGO Group and Smyths Toys Superstores, offering a unique blend of automotive engineering and creative craftsmanship.
A Marvel of Design and Engineering
The life-sized LEGO McLaren P1 is a testament to the ingenuity of both LEGO designers and automotive engineers. Comprising an astonishing 342,817 LEGO Technic elements, the model weighs approximately 1,220 kilograms and took a dedicated team of 23 specialists over 8,300 hours to design and assemble. The build features 393 different types of LEGO Technic components, including 11 custom-moulded pieces, allowing for intricate details and functional features.
Unlike traditional LEGO models, this replica is not merely a static display. It boasts fully functional steering and suspension systems, powered by 768 LEGO electric motors. The integration of these motors enables the vehicle to achieve a top speed of nearly 40 mph, making it the first full-scale LEGO model capable of driving and steering on its own.
An Interactive Experience for All Ages
The presence of the LEGO McLaren P1 at the show provided an interactive experience for attendees. Families marveled at the car’s design, with children and adults alike exploring its features and learning about the engineering behind its creation. The collaboration with Smyths Toys Superstores further enhanced the experience, offering hands-on LEGO building activities and displays that engaged visitors and sparked creativity.
A Glimpse into the Future
The unveiling of the LEGO McLaren P1 at The British Motor Show 2025 not only showcased the possibilities of combining LEGO’s building capabilities with real-world engineering but also highlighted the potential for future innovations in both the toy and automotive industries. This collaboration serves as an inspiration for aspiring engineers and designers, demonstrating how imagination and technology can come together to create extraordinary results.
For those who missed the opportunity to see the LEGO McLaren P1 in person, the model’s appearance at the show underscored the importance of events like The British Motor Show in bringing together technology, creativity, and family-friendly entertainment.
Tesla’s Cybercab Steals the Show at The British Motor Show 2025
This August, The British Motor Show played host to a very special first for the UK with the unveiling of Tesla’s futuristic Cybercab. The fully autonomous, two-seat electric vehicle gave families and car fans alike a tantalising glimpse into the future of city transport.
Unlike any car on the road today, the Cybercab is designed to drive itself. With no steering wheel or pedals, it relies entirely on Tesla’s cutting-edge Full Self-Driving technology, while its sleek, minimalist design and butterfly doors had visitors crowding around for selfies. Kids and adults alike were fascinated by the spacious interior, dominated by a large touchscreen, which looks more like a spaceship than a car!
Tesla’s aim with the Cybercab is as practical as it is exciting: to reduce traffic and make urban travel simpler, safer, and more fun. And while it’s still a prototype, the excitement among families at The British Motor Show was clear from toddlers pointing out the shiny exterior to teens exploring the touchscreen, everyone was keen to imagine a driverless future.
The Cybercab is expected to hit production in 2026. For many at the show, it wasn’t just about the tech; it was about sparking imaginations and showing what the cities of tomorrow might look like.
From supercars and stunt displays to this futuristic robo-taxi, The British Motor Show 2025 proved there really is something for every age, and the Cybercab was one of the highlights families won’t forget anytime soon.
