This year’s post-TT Southern 100 road races on the Isle of Man’s Billown circuit saw a substantial increase in visitors travelling to the event by ferry. During the key travel period surrounding the meeting, a total of 9927 passengers arrived by sea, an overall year-on-year increase of nearly 8%. Motorcycle traffic by ferry also continued its upward trend, increasing by almost 8%. The number of foot passengers also rose, 16.3% up year-on-year. Figures provided by the IoM Steam Packet ferry covered all inbound sailings during 4-9 July, together with the 2.15am Heysham to Isle of Man sailing on 10 July, which primarily carried day-trip visitors to the event.
Dates have now been confirmed for next year’s Pre-TT Classic and Southern 100 meetings at Billown. The former will take place over the weekend of 28-30 May, with the Southern 100 meeting billed for a week later than this year – from 12-15 July 2027.