Conor Moore and Christian Horner on stage together at European Motorshow in RDS
If the phrase “motor show” still brings to mind silent cars, polite crowds and a quick lap of the hall before heading home, the European Motor Show 2026 is deliberately setting out to challenge that idea.
Arriving at the RDS this February bank holiday weekend, the new Dublin event is positioning itself as a motorsport and mobility festival rather than a traditional exhibition. Cars will move, engines will be heard, personalities will take centre stage and, crucially, families are being actively catered for rather than politely accommodated.
Running on Saturday 31 January and Sunday 1 February 2026, the inaugural show aims to bring together motorsport, car culture, technology and live entertainment under one roof. The intention is to create an event where you can drop in briefly or, just as easily, find yourself staying for the day.
The motorsport line-up reflects that ambition. Formula 1 plays a central role, and Christian Horner will headline the main stage. As one of the most influential figures in modern F1, Horner will offer insight that goes well beyond lap times, touching on leadership, pressure and the realities of operating at the sport’s highest level.
He will be joined by racing legend and broadcaster Tiff Needell, whose reputation for clear-eyed analysis remains intact, and F1 performance coach Bradley Scanes.
Mullingar comedian and impressionist Conor Moore rounds out the panel, adding humour and familiarity to what promises to be one of the weekend’s most popular sessions. That will be interesting as Conor regularly mimics Horner in his online sketches.
Endurance and adventure motorsport are also strongly represented. Charley Boorman will appear alongside Irish Dakar competitor Oran O’Kelly, sharing stories from one of the toughest events in global motorsport. From long days in extreme conditions to the mindset required to finish Dakar at all, their discussion will offer a welcome contrast to the precision of Formula 1.
Boorman has already hinted that the Dublin appearance will also feature stories from his wider adventure riding career, making it a must-see for fans of bikes as well as cars.
A notable feature of the 2026 programme is a focus on representation within motorsport. A dedicated Women in Motorsport panel will feature Laura Jordan O’Connell, Tatiana Calderón and Irish racing champion Nicole Drought, highlighting the progress being made and the opportunities opening up in international racing series.
Rising talents Alex Denning and Max Hart further underline the emphasis on showcasing future potential alongside established names.
Visually, the European Motor Show is moving away from the static display model. The Live Car Catwalk will see vehicles take to a runway-style main stage, allowing audiences to see, hear and feel everything from classic cars to modern supercars in motion.
Away from the main stage, the show floor has been designed to appeal to a broad audience. The Gaming Garage caters for sim racing enthusiasts with professional-grade rigs, while the Innovation Hub brings together leading manufacturers including VW, Škoda, Mercedes, Fiat, Peugeot and DS. Electric mobility is also well represented, with brands such as XPeng, BYD, Smart and Leap Motor showcasing the latest developments in the sector.
The Family Zone includes the Digger Café, interactive RC diggers, dumpers and crawlers, along with a kids activity area to keep younger visitors engaged. Food vendors and a live DJ help maintain the festival atmosphere throughout the weekend, encouraging visitors to linger rather than rush.
Accessibility has also been addressed, and sensory and autism-friendly supports include a dedicated sensory area.
As COO Clare Kilmartin has noted, the European Motor Show is about shared experiences rather than cars simply sitting on display. On that basis, the 2026 event looks well placed to offer something different.
Tickets are on sale now (children U14 admitted free with a paying adult).