What will 2026 UK speedway bring?

[mikebv]

43 minutes ago, Racin Jason 72 said:

For the 40th consecutive year since I’ve been watching the sport !!! 

I always think that it is fantastic that after each AGM they are all on the same page...

Sadly, it's always from the wrong effing book!!!

[THE DEAN MACHINE]

3 minutes ago, mikebv said:

I always think that it is fantastic that after each AGM they are all on the same page...

Sadly, it's always from the wrong effing book!!!

This time is different, anyone know how to hack into a zoom call, we could all watch with great interest 

[Pitch]

1 hour ago, IainB said:

Would be nice to hear from the others instead of treating their fans with contempt!

Yes especially Belle Vue and Kings Lynn (although I wouldn't expect anything else from Buster) because at least them two clubs don't have any ownership issues to resolve and know they are running in 2026.

[IainB]

... meanwhile in North Lincolnshire

 

[OGT]

19 hours ago, THE DEAN MACHINE said:

I suffer from gout now and again and they can’t find out why, at first they say cut out alcohol, I haven’t drunk alcohol in about 30 years so not that it’s been blamed on tomatoes,Christmas cake,oasis the drink, surprised it’s not been blamed on oasis the band,various other things all of which I cut out and then it came back so obviously wasn’t them and imo it is by far the worst pain I’ve ever suffered and that includes all the crashes and broken bones I’ve had, anyway anyone got any premier league news ? 

Well if it ain't wine, it must be women and song causing it then. 🤔😉

[OGT]

19 hours ago, THE DEAN MACHINE said:

I suffer from gout now and again and they can’t find out why, at first they say cut out alcohol, I haven’t drunk alcohol in about 30 years so not that it’s been blamed on tomatoes,Christmas cake,oasis the drink, surprised it’s not been blamed on oasis the band,various other things all of which I cut out and then it came back so obviously wasn’t them and imo it is by far the worst pain I’ve ever suffered and that includes all the crashes and broken bones I’ve had, anyway anyone got any premier league news ? 

Well if it ain't wine, it must be women and song causing it then. 🤔😉

[THE DEAN MACHINE]

10 minutes ago, OGT said:

Well if it ain't wine, it must be women and song causing it then. 🤔😉

Funny enough I did say in some indirect way the Mrs was to blame, she didn’t agree 😂

[Chris]

On 12/4/2025 at 9:15 PM, THE DEAN MACHINE said:

No wolves dig up and grown over, rye house is an all weather pitch and I think kent grown over too 

Planning permission for an all weather pitch at Rye House was refused years ago. The base it still there but it's overgrown due to the leaseholders not being allowed to touch anything on site due to years of unlawful development 

[Byker Biker]

On 12/6/2025 at 8:42 PM, IainB said:

... meanwhile in North Lincolnshire

 

This unfortunately is the profile and image of Speedway in this country. A "Bobble hat sport with jumpers for goalposts"

[ouch]

As we limp through the 2026 season, there should be putting a plan set in place to improve the sport and hopefully put it on a firmer footing. 

Ideas to look at include building relationships with the local councils to help secure a new fit for purpose stadium or improvements to the current location. 

Build or improve tracks to provide the level of entertainment demanded by modern audiences with the Glasgow ethos of racing being the key. 

Meetings need to be run on a tighter timeline with 9.00 as the finishing target. Grading breaks need to be short and at standard times every meeting. In the down time have something to engage the fans with rider interviews ( preferably on a big screen with replays and scores throughout), games for the kids and a mascot to provide some fun and free sweets. A chance to hear from and meet the riders after the meeting would be good to help build relationships. 

Running a junior team and U16 meetings should be mandatory to help bring on the next generation. We might even unearth some GB FIM medal winners. 

Engaging with the local community via youth groups plus attracting families via social media is something to look at and bringing in sponsors, the kind who would look beyond the local and possibly back a UK Grand Prix. 

Lastly riders need to be looked after by being paid on time and backed when times are tough to help build that bond between rider and club/fans. 

All not easy to do I know but with the right people it could be achieved. Chris Louis would be the ideal choice to push this through or Stewart Dickson at Leicester. Bates would have been good before deciding to move on and of course Buster could get things done as he has done in the past. There could even be candidates from the lower division with the drive to see this done. 

[M.D]

1 hour ago, ouch said:

As we limp through the 2026 season, there should be putting a plan set in place to improve the sport and hopefully put it on a firmer footing. 

Ideas to look at include building relationships with the local councils to help secure a new fit for purpose stadium or improvements to the current location. 

Build or improve tracks to provide the level of entertainment demanded by modern audiences with the Glasgow ethos of racing being the key. 

Meetings need to be run on a tighter timeline with 9.00 as the finishing target. Grading breaks need to be short and at standard times every meeting. In the down time have something to engage the fans with rider interviews ( preferably on a big screen with replays and scores throughout), games for the kids and a mascot to provide some fun and free sweets. A chance to hear from and meet the riders after the meeting would be good to help build relationships. 

Running a junior team and U16 meetings should be mandatory to help bring on the next generation. We might even unearth some GB FIM medal winners. 

Engaging with the local community via youth groups plus attracting families via social media is something to look at and bringing in sponsors, the kind who would look beyond the local and possibly back a UK Grand Prix. 

Lastly riders need to be looked after by being paid on time and backed when times are tough to help build that bond between rider and club/fans. 

All not easy to do I know but with the right people it could be achieved. Chris Louis would be the ideal choice to push this through or Stewart Dickson at Leicester. Bates would have been good before deciding to move on and of course Buster could get things done as he has done in the past. There could even be candidates from the lower division with the drive to see this done. 

You make some very good points, I agree with a lot of your ideas.

What the BSPL need to do now, is change all the negatives into a positive and have a total reset.

Own up for once, say the structure is not working but we will go with what we have in 26 but the structure will change in 27.

Now, if that's two leagues with the NDL included or if they want 3 with top riders then they will need to make it financially viable

I would go with one top league followed up with a National league to bring the youth on. if clubs can't affford the GP stars or they won't ride for what is offered, then so be it.

The sport needs a total reset in the UK, step back to move forward. 

[tonyd]

Before the BSPL come out of there meeting and say "its all ok and we have sorted out a long term plan" (which basically means we have added a bit of filler and painted over the cracks) they need to stop and realise a bit of filler and paint  is to late as the bloody door has now fell off all together.

There is talk about a 5 team premiership (maybe  even 3) so lets be honest how many supporters are going to keep going to watch the same teams every two weeks, unless they are going to run less and have monthly meetings in which case instead of attracting more supporters by the end of the season you will have attracted less just leaving the die hard support still attending.

And what is the incentive for a Championship club to step up into the Premiership? Any club will be welcomed with open arms that's true but at the same time I get the impression that they would be told or advised to "toe the line" and learn how we do things in the big league, further adding "we may not do it right but we do it our way" 

For me the Championship has got the right idea, they are team building for 2026 and letting the premiership get on with things as I think they like me can see the total collapse of the premier league happening very soon unless something drastic takes place like a small European League to boost teams in it.

Whatever mighty decisions are taking place the result from the annual AGM in January will be interesting to say the least.