What is the Isle of Man TT? Explaining the classes and schedule

It's almost time for the world's most iconic road racing event: The Isle of Man TT. Here's everything you need to know ahead of the 2026 edition.

It's almost time for the world's most iconic road racing event: The Isle of Man TT.

Set on the picturesque island in the Irish Sea and taking place on the 37.73-mile Snaefell Mountain Course, the track is one of the most challenging in motorsport.

Four classes of motorcycle are used in the event, with more than 100 riders competing across six days of racing.

This year’s TT will take place from May 25 to June 6, with one practice and six qualifying sessions during the first week, before six days of racing between May 30 and June 6.

The TT races are split into five classes, with varying engine sizes.

Superbike: The "big bikes". Quick and powerful, with 1000cc engines and over 200bhp. Similar to the specification used in the Superbike World Championship, but without the performance balancing. For the TT, these bikes are equipped with an expanded 24-litre fuel tank and quick release equipment on the wheels which allows for pitstops.

Supersport: The Supersport class was originally the domain of 600cc, four cylinder four-strokes, but now includes the 955cc Ducati Panigale V2, Triumph Street Triple 765RS and Suzuki GSXR750 – and for 2026 the Yamaha YZF-R9.

Superstock: The Superstock class is for 1000cc production sports motorcycles - the closest bikes to the ones you can buy in the showroom today.

Sportbike: The Supertwin class has been revamped for 2026, allowing Sportbike specification machines to compete alongside the traditional Supertwin machines.

Sidecar: Double trouble - sidecars feature a driver and a passenger, one alongside each other. They must work together to get the most out of their 600cc four-cylinder, 675cc three-cylinder, or 900cc parallel-twin engines.

How can I watch the TT?

The best way to follow all the action is via TT+'s Live Pass. The official platform shows all the action from practice and race week live.

ITV usually broadcasts daily highlights throughout the two weeks on ITV4 and ITVX.

Full Isle of Man TT 2026 schedule

Monday May 25

UNTIMED FREE PRACTICE

10:45 - Newcomer Speed Controlled Lap (Solo and Sidecar)

11:00 - Supersport / Sportbike

11:45 - Sidecars

12:40 - Superbike / Superstock

QUALIFYING 1

14:15 - Supersport / Sportbike

15:00 - Sidecars

15:55 - Superbike / Superstock

Tuesday May 26

QUALIFYING 2

18:30 - Superbike / Superstock

19:20 - Supersport / Sportbike

20:15 - Sidecars

Wednesday May 27

QUALIFYING 3

13:00 - Supersport / Sportbike

14:00 - Sidecars

14:55 - Superbike / Superstock

QUALIFYING 4

18:30 - Superbike / Superstock

19:20 - Supersport / Sportbike

20:15 - Sidecars

Thursday May 28

Rest day

Friday May 29

QUALIFYING 5

10:30 - Superbike / Superstock

11:25 - Sidecars

12:20 - Supersport / Sportbike

QUALIFYING 6

13:15 - Superbike / Superstock

14:20 - Sidecars

15:10 - Supersport / Sportbike

Saturday May 30

10:45 - Superstock TT Race 1 - [3 laps]

13:30 - Sidecar TT Race 1 - [3 laps]

Sunday May 31

13:30 - Superbike TT - [6 laps]

Monday June 1

Rest day

Tuesday June 2

10:45 - Supersport TT Race 1 - [4 laps]

13:00 - Sidecar Shakedown - [1 lap]

14:15 - Sportbike TT Race 1 - [3 laps]

15:50 - Solo Practice - [1 lap]

Wednesday June 3

10:45 - Sidecar TT Race 2 - [3 laps]

13:30 - Superstock TT Race 2 - [3 laps]

15:30 - Solo Practice - [1 lap]

Thursday June 4

Rest day

Friday June 5

10:45 - Supersport TT Race 2 - [4 laps]

14:00 - Sportbike TT Race 2 - [3 laps]

16:00 - Senior TT Practice - [1 lap]

Sunday June 6

11:00 - Senior TT - [6 laps]

Isle of Man TT 2027 schedule

Ahead of this year’s Isle of Man TT Races, the dates for TT 2027 have been confirmed.

The event is set to take place from Monday May 31 to Saturday June 12.

The provisional dates for TT 2028 are Monday 29th May to Saturday 10th June 2028.