The Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show returns to the NEC in Birmingham from Friday 13 to Sunday 15 November 2026. The organisers quote more than 3,000 cars and bikes, over 300 clubs, a large trade area and an Iconic Auctioneers sale. New this year are a YouTube Village, debutant cars and cars from Jeremy Clarkson’s collection.
This guide covers dates and opening times, ticket prices for each day, what to see and how to get to the NEC. It also flags the concerts on the same campus that weekend. Where the organisers have not announced a detail, or their own pages disagree, we say so. Check the official show website before you pay for anything.
Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show 2026 at a glance
- Dates: Friday 13, Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November 2026
- Venue: NEC, North Avenue, Birmingham B40 1NT
- Opening times: Friday 10am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 6pm, Sunday 9am to 5pm
- Adult tickets: from £40.20 online in advance, booking fee included
- NEC parking: £14.95 in advance, £19.95 on the day
- Nearest station: Birmingham International, a few minutes’ walk from the halls
- Also on the NEC campus: bp pulse LIVE concerts on Friday and Saturday evening
Dates and Opening Times
The show takes place over one weekend, Friday to Sunday. The organisers’ Plan Your Visit page gives these opening times:
| Day | Date | Opening times |
|---|---|---|
| Friday | 13 November 2026 | 10am to 6pm |
| Saturday | 14 November 2026 | 9am to 6pm |
| Sunday | 15 November 2026 | 9am to 5pm |
Friday opens an hour later than the other two days, and Sunday closes an hour earlier than Saturday. The NEC’s own event listing shows a different pattern for the hours. Treat the times above as the show’s own figures, and check your ticket confirmation email nearer the date.
Classic Motor Show Tickets and Prices
Tickets are sold through the official ticket portal linked from the show website. Prices change by day. The table below shows the advance online prices listed on the show’s ticket page.
| Ticket | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult (16+) | £47.20 | £42.20 | £40.20 |
| Child (5 to 15) | £28.75 | £29.25 | £27.25 |
| Family | £94.20 | £88.70 | £86.70 |
| Group (10 or more) | £39.25 | £34.75 | £33.25 |
Adult and family prices include the one-off £2.95 transaction fee. Group tickets already carry the group discount, and the fee is charged once per order rather than per ticket. The ticket page lists its price tabs in the order Friday, Saturday, Sunday but does not label each table by day. Check the day tab on the booking page before you pay.
Multi-Day Passes
If you want to go for more than one day, the multi-day passes cost less than buying single days. The show lists these prices, each including the £2.95 fee:
- 2 Day Pass (Friday and Saturday): £69.20
- Weekend Pass (Saturday and Sunday): £63.20
- 3 Day Pass (Friday to Sunday): £89.20
Children, Families and Carers
Children under 5 get in free with a paying adult. Child tickets (ages 5 to 15) must be bought alongside an adult ticket. The family ticket covers two adults and up to three children. The wording on the ticket page varies slightly between “under 16s” and “children”, so check the exact terms when you book. The organisers say a family ticket can save up to £76 compared with buying separately.
Disabled visitors who need a helper can bring a carer for free. Choose the carer ticket when booking online and bring proof of disability. If you buy on the door, collect the carer ticket from the Box Office when you buy your own.
Discounts and Booking Deadlines
Members of some participating car and bike clubs can get a discount on advance adult tickets. Ask your club for the details. At the time of writing, the show website was also advertising £2 off with the code POP26. It is a time-limited offer with no end date shown, so check it still works at the checkout.
Advance online sales close before midnight on Thursday 12 November. Tickets are also sold on the door during opening hours. Buying ahead is usually cheaper and saves you queuing at the Box Office. Only buy from the official show website or its linked ticket portal.
What to See at the 2026 Show
The organisers quote more than 3,000 cars and bikes, more than 300 clubs and over 400 traders. Figures differ slightly between pages, so read them as rough sizes.
Club Displays and Classic Cars
The club displays are the heart of the show. Each club brings a stand of cars, and the range goes from rare models to everyday favourites. You can wander from pre-war saloons to 1980s hot hatches within a few minutes. Many clubs put out Family Friendly signs, and children can sit in selected cars if the owner gives permission.
The Classic Motorbike Showcase covers bikes from across the UK and beyond, for anyone who prefers two wheels.
The Iconic Auctioneers Super Auction
Iconic Auctioneers, the firm formerly known as Silverstone Auctions, is the show’s auction partner. Its Super Auction takes place on the Saturday and Sunday. The show’s pages mention more than 500 vehicles going under the hammer, and the highlights page also refers to cars, bikes and automobilia.
Several lots have been announced already:
- Three cars from Jeremy Clarkson’s personal collection, offered with no reserve. The announcement photo shows a Lancia Beta Montecarlo, a Lincoln Continental and an Alfa Romeo GTV6. Check Iconic’s catalogue for the final lot list.
- Harry Metcalfe’s Jaguar XE SV Project 8.
- A group of poster cars from Lamborghini, Porsche and BMW.
New for 2026
The show’s slogan this year is “New theme. New cars. New mods. New village.” Here is what sits behind it:
- YouTube Village. A new area with five corners of classic car YouTube. The organisers have not named the creators in the pages we could read.
- Debutants. Clubs were challenged to bring cars that have never been shown at the event before. The Jaguar Drivers’ Club is one club that has confirmed a debutant display.
- Zircotec Modified Zone. Powered by Copacetic, this expanded area focuses on modified builds. Promotional material shows a custom purple Nissan Skyline.
Competitions and Awards
Pride of Ownership is a public vote for a favourite car among the competing classics, and the organisers call it the show’s original competition. The Meguiar’s Club Showcase highlights top cars from the UK club scene over the past year. Meguiar’s is the show’s Detailing Partner. The Hall of Fame also returns, honouring figures from the show and classic motoring on the Meet the Experts Stage. No 2026 names have been published yet.
Talks, Workshops and Family Activities
- Meet the Experts. Live panels, talks and Q&As on the main stage.
- Podcast Cafe. Live recordings with motoring experts, in Hall 3.
- Restoration Workshop. Tips and advice from mechanics and restorers.
- Family Zone. Classic car colouring and treasure hunts.
- Mini-Rovers. A small obstacle course for ages 4 to 10.
- Sporting Bears Dream Rides. Rides in classic cars, with proceeds going to children’s charities.
Traders, Autojumble and Cars for Sale
The trade stands sell tools, parts, rare spares, services and cars. The Autojumble is where many visitors find the part they have been hunting for months. There is also a dealer hall with cars for sale at different budgets. Bring a tape measure and a note of the part number if you are looking for something specific.
What Has Not Been Announced Yet
The show is close, but some details were still missing from the official pages when we wrote this:
- The full talk and stage schedule. The organisers say the agenda will appear on the Plan Your Visit page as the show gets closer.
- Named celebrity guests for Meet the Experts.
- The 2026 Hall of Fame inductees.
- The names of the YouTube Village creators.
- Details of the other “New for 2026” features.
- Rules on dogs, re-entry, cloakroom use and general photography. The Admissions Policy does not cover them. You can email info@necclassicmotorshow.com or check the ticketing support centre.
The show pages also disagree on how many halls it uses. The show site says seven halls, while the NEC’s own listing names Halls 1 to 5 and Hall 8. Check the show map when it is published.
How to Get to the NEC
The NEC sits just off the M42, next to Birmingham Airport and Birmingham International station. Our NEC Birmingham guide covers the site.
By Car
The NEC is signposted from the M42, M40 and M6. Use B40 1NT in your sat nav, then follow the electronic signs to your car park. The postcode does not take you to the event car park itself.
The NEC operates the parking, not the show. It costs £14.95 if you book in advance and £19.95 on the day, and payment is by card or smartphone only. A shuttle bus links the car parks and the halls. Blue Badge bays are allocated on arrival, and the show quotes £13.95 and £18.95 for them. Confirm the price with necparking@thenec.co.uk.
The NEC sits outside Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone. If you pass through the city centre in an older classic, check our Clean Air Zone guide first.
By Train
Birmingham International station is a few minutes’ walk from the halls, with a covered walkway to the NEC. It is the easiest public transport option, and it avoids the car park queues when the show closes. According to the NEC, London Northwestern Railway operates direct services to the station from London, Milton Keynes, Northampton and other places. Check National Rail for engineering works before you travel.
By Coach and Bus
National Express coaches serve Birmingham Airport, which is a short transfer from the NEC. Local bus routes are listed on the National Express West Midlands website. Check the timetable for the Sunday service before you rely on it.
By Air
Several airlines fly into Birmingham Airport (BHX). From the terminal, the free Air-Rail Link takes about 90 seconds to reach Birmingham International station, with a train every couple of minutes. From there you walk to the NEC. Our guide to getting from Birmingham Airport to the NEC compares the options, including taxis and pre-booked cars.
By Taxi or Private Hire
T.O.A Taxis is the NEC’s official taxi partner, and Veezu is its official private hire partner. The NEC says private hire providers drop off and pick up at the Piazza area or the Atrium entrance, and that is where a pre-booked chauffeur will normally take you. From there it is a short walk to the halls. The NEC’s Getting Here page has the latest details.
A Busy NEC Weekend: Concerts on Friday and Saturday
What else is on
The Classic Motor Show is not the only event on the NEC campus that weekend. bp pulse LIVE has Atif Aslam on Friday 13 November and Shinedown on Saturday 14 November, according to the venue’s listings. Check the doors time on the venue’s page. Evening arrivals can overlap with the show’s 6pm closing time on both days.
What it means for your journey
Expect heavier traffic and busier car parks in the late afternoon and early evening on Friday and Saturday. If you leave the show at closing time, you may queue to exit the car park. You can avoid the worst by leaving earlier or by staying a little later. Sunday has no concert on the listings we checked, so it is the calmer day for the journey home.
Our guides to Atif Aslam at bp pulse LIVE and getting to bp pulse LIVE cover the concert side of the journey.
Accessibility and Facilities
Blue Badge holders are allocated bays on arrival. Wheelchair-accessible toilets are available around the venue. Manual wheelchairs and electric scooters can be hired from the NEC, first come, first served. The two show pages give different wheelchair prices: one says the wheelchairs are free for registered disabled visitors, the other says £5 per day. Scooters are listed at £20 per day. To pre-book, email info@necgroup.co.uk with your name, contact number and the dates you need.
There are food outlets throughout the halls, from sandwiches to seated meals. If you bring your own lunch, there is seating on the Piazza outside the halls. NEC staff can help with queries during your visit.
Entry, Security and Show Rules
Staff check tickets at the entrance, and the Admissions Policy says security may include bag checks and scanners. Pack light to keep the queue moving. The policy does not cover dogs, re-entry, a cloakroom or photography of the cars, so email info@necclassicmotorshow.com if any of these matter to you. Ask an owner before taking a close-up of their car.
Where to Stay Near the NEC
The show works with EventBeds, from NuBreed Hotels, for discounted rooms near the NEC. The organisers say you can save up to 20% against booking direct. Our guide to the best hotels near the NEC Birmingham covers more options.
Practical Tips for Your Visit
- Arrive at opening time. The halls are large, and the organisers compare the floor space to 16 football pitches.
- Wear comfortable shoes. You will walk a lot, and part of the route is outdoors in November.
- Plan your auction time. Check Iconic’s catalogue and note the lots you want to see.
- Travel light. Bags can be checked at the entrance.
- Plan your exit. Thousands leave around closing time, and the concerts add to the traffic on Friday and Saturday.
Travel to the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show with a Private Chauffeur
National Executive Transfers (NET) provides pre-booked chauffeur transfers across the Midlands and the wider UK. For the classic car show, we can collect you from your home, a hotel, a railway station or Birmingham Airport, and take you to the NEC. We can then collect you at an agreed time after the show. If you are planning a day around an event, our events chauffeur service covers days like this.
Who tends to find it useful
- Couples. Enjoy a day at the show without one of you staying sober or watching the clock for the car park.
- Families. Keep children, coats and bags in one vehicle, and avoid the shuttle bus queue at the end of the day. The family ticket covers two adults and up to three children, so tell us the group size when you book.
- Groups of friends or club members. Share the cost of one vehicle instead of paying for several car park tickets. A Mercedes V-Class seats up to seven, and our fleet page shows the vehicles available.
- Business visitors. Meet clients at the show and travel in comfort between meetings. Companies hosting clients can use a corporate chauffeur account, which includes a dedicated account manager, fixed rates and consolidated monthly VAT invoicing.
- Flying in. Our Birmingham Airport transfers include flight monitoring and meet and greet, so your driver waits in arrivals.
Carrying your purchases
The autojumble sells parts, tools and memorabilia, and some of it is heavy. If you plan to buy, think about how you will carry it. A chauffeur car takes you from the Piazza to your door, which is easier than a crowded train. Our V-Class luggage capacity guide explains what fits alongside passengers. For very large items, arrange delivery with the seller.
Agreeing a pick-up plan
When the show closes, thousands of people leave together, and the Piazza gets busy. Before you go in, agree a meeting point with your driver and share it with your group. Message your driver when you are ready, rather than waiting at the kerb. The show closes at 5pm or 6pm depending on the day, so book your return pick-up with some breathing room after closing.
Fixed prices and a full day with one driver
You agree your price in advance, so queues and diversions do not change what you pay. If you want a car for the whole day, for example to visit the NEC in the morning and a nearby hotel or restaurant later, our hourly and full-day chauffeur hire may suit you better. Our chauffeur vs self-drive guide for Birmingham events compares the options. You can see the areas we cover on the coverage area page.
Looking for the best chauffeur service Birmingham has for your day at the NEC? Book your transfer with National Executive Transfers and arrive without the parking stress. Get a quote or book online today.
Conclusion
The Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show takes place from 13 to 15 November at the NEC. Advance adult tickets start at £40.20, NEC parking at £14.95 if you book ahead, and advance sales close before midnight on Thursday 12 November. Check your ticket confirmation for the final opening times, because the show and the NEC list them differently.
Getting there is easy by train or from Birmingham Airport. Friday and Saturday are busier because of the concerts, so plan your exit. If you would rather skip the car park queue, a pre-booked transfer takes the pressure off. Get a quote from National Executive Transfers and we will plan the journey around your day.
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Frequently Asked Questions
It takes place from Friday 13 to Sunday 15 November 2026 at the NEC in Birmingham.
The show's Plan Your Visit page lists Friday 10am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 6pm and Sunday 9am to 5pm. Check your ticket confirmation, as the NEC's own listing shows different hours.
Advance adult tickets range from £40.20 to £47.20 depending on the day, including the £2.95 fee. Child, family, group and multi-day tickets are also available. The 3 Day Pass is £89.20.
Yes. Tickets are sold on the door during opening hours. Advance online sales close before midnight on Thursday 12 November, and advance prices are usually lower.
Children under 5 are free with a paying adult. Children aged 5 to 15 need a child ticket, bought with an adult ticket.
The standard rate is £14.95 if booked in advance and £19.95 on the day. Blue Badge prices are quoted differently on one show page, so confirm when you book.
Go to Birmingham International station. It is a few minutes' walk from the halls.
Carers get a free ticket with proof of disability. Blue Badge bays are allocated on arrival, accessible toilets are available, and wheelchairs and scooters can be hired. Pre-book by emailing info@necgroup.co.uk.
Yes. The free Air-Rail Link takes about 90 seconds to Birmingham International station, then it is a short walk. You can also pre-book a chauffeur or take a taxi.
The pages I checked do not say. Read the show's Admissions Policy or email info@necclassicmotorshow.com before you travel.
