About Autosport International
Autosport International has been held at the NEC in Birmingham for more than 30 years and is widely seen as the event that opens the motorsport year. It gathers the motorsport industry and its fans under one roof, combining a business-focused exhibition with the spectacle of racing cars, driver appearances and live action.
The show has traditionally appealed to two audiences. On the trade side, motorsport engineering companies, component and technology suppliers, teams, championships and circuits use it to meet partners and customers. Exhibition halls have been organised around themes such as motorsport, engineering and performance, which helps visitors with different interests find their way around.
For enthusiasts, the attraction lies in seeing racing machinery up close, including Formula 1 cars, and meeting the people who drive and build them. That mix of trade and consumer audiences is part of what makes the show distinctive among UK events.
Exhibitors take part for several reasons: to launch products ahead of the new season, to meet engineering and supply partners, to promote championships and race series and to reach a passionate fan base directly. Suppliers to the motorsport and performance car industries in particular value the concentration of decision makers from teams and manufacturers, while consumer brands benefit from the energy of the public audience.
Next edition
Autosport International 2027: what to expect
Dates for the 2027 edition have not been announced yet. In October 2025 the organisers confirmed that there would be no show in 2026 while a strategic review took place, and that Autosport International would return in 2027 at the NEC in a new format focused on greater access, interactivity and innovation.
Until the new format is published, exhibitors would be wise to register interest and hold back on detailed stand planning, as the balance between trade and public audiences will shape objectives and design.