Over and out for MCN London Show

MCN London Motorcycle Show organiser Bauer has pulled the plug on the capital’s showcase event and will focus on helping make the NEC the main bike show for the whole country.

It was one of the two major flagship exhibitions in the annual bike show calendar, alongside Motorcycle Live at the NEC in Birmingham. But the MCN London Motorcycle Show has sadly come to the end of the road after organiser Bauer Media, decided now is the time to call time on the event. Citing rising costs and a decline in exhibitor numbers, amid unconfirmed rumours that the show’s lease deal with the ExCeL has come to an end.

The current show has been held at ExCeL under the MCN banner for more than 15 years, dating back to 2007, and previously was organised as the 020 show by the MCIA in 2001-2002, following the exhibition centre’s opening in November 2000. The capital has had a major motorcycle show dating back to the Alexandra Palace Road Racing and Superbike show and Earls Court shows. London bike show history goes back even further to the first British Cycle and Motor Cycle show at Olympia in Kensington, West London, more than a century ago in 1919. Now, though, the Bike Shed Custom Show at Tobacco Dock, Wapping, is set to be the last remaining major bike show inside the M25, albeit a more niche event without a strongly overt ‘trade’ nature and a less mainstream approach.

MCN supported the East London ExCel show with a host of race superstars, with legends like Carl Fogarty, Randy Mamola and Wayne Gardner to road race heroes John McGuinness and Peter Hickman, as well as younger stars like Jorge Martin and Pedro Acosta. Recent stage hosts have included Charley Boorman, Nick Sanders, Steve Parrish and Henry Cole, alongside James Whitham and Grace Webb.

At the most recent shows, the organisers have also aimed to provide more ‘live’ events and experiences for visitors. That has ranged from stage shows featuring interviews with experts and celebrities to world launches of new bikes and products, race bike displays and bike auctions. There’s also been loads of high-octane entertainment: indoor flat-track racing, a world-first sprint drag-race event and off-road riding. Visitors regularly had the chance for road tests on new bikes, and there were also taster sessions for non-riders and electric kids’ bike fun rides.

Following the decision to close the show, Bauer has announced that it will redirect its marketing efforts to support the Motorcycle Live Show in Birmingham. Discussions behind the scenes between Bauer and the MCIA have led to a plan to support the industry association’s NEC event even further. That means the publisher’s specialist bike press and local radio stations will encourage southern-based riders to make the trip up the M1/M40 to the Midlands each November, instead of taking the Dockland’s Light Railway to ExCeL or the M35/A13 in February.

Speaking about the decision, Bauer Media’s Group commercial director, Gareth Ashman, said: “Following a hugely successful exhibition in 2025 – MCN’s 70th anniversary year – we have had to make a really tough decision, but it’s time to bid farewell to this much-loved event. While interest from the southern biking audience has remained consistently strong, rising costs have made it increasingly challenging for some industry partners to support the exhibition as they once did. The team at MCN put their heart and soul into this event, and I’m extremely proud of what we have achieved over the years. We very much look forward to deepening our excellent working relationship with the team at the MCIA to drive even more visitors to Motorcycle Live this November.”

Meanwhile, Motorcycle Live’s MD, Finlay McAllan, said: “We very much look forward to working closely with Bauer on attracting the London show regulars who may have never been to Motorcycle Live previously. MCL, being wholly owned by the industry, represents the only event where visitors can see all the new products for the first time. In addition to the latest bikes and innovations, visitors will experience an amazing day out, including interactive riding features, purchase the latest kit, enjoy live music, witness incredible live FMX and Trials shows and meet the riders and other celebrities.”

As we went to press, there was little reaction to the news – indeed, the story itself is exclusive to BDN. So it remains to be seen whether someone else will step into the gap.

With Kent-based Kelsey Publishing taking over Mortons Media and its publishing and show events operations in March, it seems logical they will be considering their options on home turf in the south-east. The London show was attracting almost 30,000 visitors, paying more than £25 each – that could well make for a solid potential base for another operator at a different site in the capital.

Dedicated bike show fans in the south-east and London are, for the moment at least, left with a blank spot on the calendar in February.