In this guide
- What it is: Flat-out sprints round a track of around 400 metres, packed with jumps and banked corners, up to eight riders at a time.
- What you need first: British Cycling membership. The provisional licence included with membership covers regional racing; national events need a full licence.
- How long it takes: A race lasts well under a minute, but a meeting is all-day action.
- Cost: Core membership is £52 a year, and a full race licence runs from no charge for under-16s to £40 for seniors (British Cycling, checked October 2026).
- What's next: Racing track: regional league, National Series, then the National and British Championships. Coaching track: BMX coach. Volunteer track: timekeeper, judge or scrutineer.
How a meeting works
It starts with qualifying heats called motos. Up to eight riders race each one, then the fastest move through knockout rounds to a final that decides the winner. Races are run off in quick succession, so it's non-stop for riders and spectators alike.
The levels
British Cycling lists:
- regional racing leagues, with some regions running winter leagues;
- the Lloyds National BMX Race Series;
- the National Championships and the British Championships.
In 2026 the National Series ran ten rounds over five weekends from April to August, with stops in Manchester, Glasgow, Gosport, Cardiff and Derby. The British Championships at Platt Fields in Manchester drew 1,400 riders, from Superclass to veterans. Racing is family-friendly, often with several generations at one meeting.
Supercross and time trial
Supercross is the Olympic discipline, raced over 350 to 400 metres, and the fastest qualifiers get the best spots on the start gate. In a time trial you ride one lap against the clock, either to seed riders or as a contest in its own right.
Bikes and classes
Standard BMX bikes have 20-inch wheels, a single gear and usually just a rear brake. There are micro, mini and junior sizes for younger riders, and a 24-inch cruiser class for bigger or older ones.
Wales and Scotland
Welsh Cycling (Beicio Cymru) runs its own Welsh BMX Championships. Scottish Cycling runs a BMX Racing Pathway from regional races to World Cups, with rider development guidance for riders, parents and coaches.
Next season
The 2027 National Series dates aren't out yet. See British competitions 2027 for the season outline, and watch British Cycling's BMX news for the calendar.
Source: How to get into BMX, 2026 Lloyds National BMX Race Series calendar, Lloyds British BMX Championships 2026, BMX news, Cycle racing licence requirements and Race, British Cycling; BMX, Welsh Cycling; Performance BMX, Scottish Cycling; Head injury and concussion, NHS; checked October 2026.
Governing body: British Cycling. It sets the UK safety standards and training awards for BMX, so it's the official place to find out more.
The club map lists some of the UK clubs for this sport. It is a starting point, so check with the club before you travel. To have a coach found for you, use the enquiry form.
