ABR Festival heads indoors for MCL26 with talks, silent disco and Bog of Doom
Adventure Bike Rider is bringing a slice of its summer festival to Motorcycle Live this November, complete with practical sessions and a few familiar festival attractions.
Adventure Bike Rider (ABR) is bringing its own festival atmosphere to MCL26, with a dedicated ABR Festival Zone planned for the NEC in Birmingham from 21 to 29 November.
Located in Hall 3, the zone will recreate elements of the ABR Festival, swapping the usual campsite setting for an indoor programme of adventure motorcycling talks, practical sessions and entertainment across all nine days of the show.
At the centre of the area will be the Traveller's Tales tent, hosting a programme of talks featuring a number of established names from the adventure riding scene. Confirmed guests include Sam Manicom, Austin Vince, Elspeth Beard and Vanessa Ruck, with further names also expected to appear as the event draws closer.
Visitors will be given silent disco headphones to listen to the talks, with festival playlists available between sessions. The format should offer a slightly different experience from the usual stage presentations at motorcycle shows, while keeping some of the atmosphere that makes ABR Festival unique.
There will also be opportunities to win prizes, including daily ABR Festival ticket giveaways and a competition to win the ultimate ABR Festival weekend glamping experience.
The ABR team will use the event to launch its 2027 ABR Festival T-shirt, with a special price planned for the show. Visitors will also be able to get involved with photo opportunities at the REV'IT! Bog of Doom and the chance to lead the ABR Festival Parade, bringing a couple of the event's recognisable attractions into the NEC.
The indoor appearance follows the announcement of a partnership between ABR and MCL, which will see the festival's talks, interviews and entertainment form part of the wider show's programme.
Motorcycle Live 2026 runs from 21 to 29 November at the NEC in Birmingham, with doors open daily from 10am to 5pm. The event will feature more than 250 exhibitors, alongside new displays, riding opportunities and demonstrations.
Advance adult tickets are priced from £25 for weekday entry or £27 for any day, with booking fees applying to online purchases.
For more information about the ABR Festival Zone, visit the official ABR website.
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Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
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