SEMA finally gives custom motorcycles their own Battle of the Builders showdown
The famous SEMA Battle of the Builders competition is opening its doors to custom motorcycles for the first time in its 13-year history.
For years, custom motorcycles have been part of the scenery at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, parked alongside wild hot rods, lifted trucks and six-figure show cars. But despite the event's growing interest in powersports, bike builders have always been watching the main event from the sidelines.
That changes in 2026, as SEMA has announced that its Battle of the Builders competition will feature motorcycles for the first time in the event's 13-year history. The move will create a standalone category called the Bike Builder Shootout that will crown an outright motorcycle champion during this year's show in Las Vegas.
Battle of the Builders is regarded as one of the aftermarket industry's biggest showcases for custom vehicle builders, with previous winners using the competition as a springboard to international recognition and new business opportunities. Until now, however, that spotlight has been reserved entirely for four-wheeled machinery.
The new motorcycle category will see entries judged independently by a panel of motorcycle industry experts, with builds being assessed on craftsmanship, design innovation and overall execution rather than competing directly against automotive projects. The top 10 finalists will then become judges themselves, selecting the top three machines and ultimately deciding the overall Bike Builder Shootout champion.
It's a move that reflects the increasing importance of the two-wheel and powersports aftermarket in the United States, with custom motorcycles becoming an increasingly visible part of the SEMA Show in recent years. Dedicated powersports areas have grown steadily, and manufacturers, accessory brands and independent builders have all become more prominent fixtures on the Las Vegas show floor.
The automotive side of Battle of the Builders remains unchanged, retaining categories for hot rods, off-road vehicles, imports and the BFGoodrich Young Guns class for builders aged under 30. The new motorcycle class simply adds a fifth pillar to what has become one of the aftermarket world's most prestigious custom build contests.
The 2026 SEMA Show takes place in Las Vegas from November 3 to 6, with the inaugural Bike Builder Shootout set to run live on the opening day of the event. For custom bike builders looking for a route onto one of the biggest stages in the aftermarket world, the door has finally been opened.
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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!
