UK Coach Rally organiser Coach Displays is expecting a strong 2026 event in Blackpool over the weekend of 18-19 April after all 50 entry positions were accounted for and a waiting list currently consisting of five further vehicles was put in place.
This year’s Rally will follow the traditional format of a road run in the Lancashire countryside on the Saturday morning followed by driving heats into the afternoon. Judging and driving finals will follow on the Sunday, with presentation of trophies concluding events.
Saturday evening will see a return to the popular dinner dance format with a sit-down meal and entertainment, this time to be held at the Grand Hotel on the seafront.
Among coach operator entrants listed on the Rally website are longstanding supporters, competitors returning after a spell away, and some that are newcomers to proceedings.
2026 sees the UK Coach Rally marks its 70th event. Organiser Ann Cousins has thanked operators that have entered, including some that have encouraged other businesses to be present in the celebratory year, and trade supporters.
In a change to the previous arrangements, trade exhibitors will now be accommodated close to the Comedy Carpet in front of Blackpool Tower, adjacent to the area used for parking competitor coaches.
Mrs Cousins says that such a shift follows feedback from trade supporters and that it has generated renewed interest from those parties. Driving tests will remain in the same position on the opposite side of North Pier, but change of position for the trade area brings all other affairs together into one location.
Work to deliver that revised location has been spearheaded by Sam Archer – head of local operator and Rally supporter Archway Travel and a routeone columnist – and UK Coach Operators Association President Steve Telling.
Confirmed exhibitors as of 19 February were BASE Coach Sales; Bus and Coach Centre; Harris Bus and Coach; MAN; Pelican Bus and Coach; RHA; Scania UK; Temsa Sales UK; TI Recovery; and the UK Coach Operators Association.
“Things are now looking very good for the 2026 Rally, with a long road to get us to where we are now,” says Mrs Cousins. She advises that although five reserve entries are already on the first come, first served waiting list, others will be accepted.
In results from 2025, Paul S Winson claimed Coach of the Year for its brand-new Scania Touring, while Christopher Shaw of Dews Coaches of Somersham took home the Coach Driver of the Year accolade thanks to his performance in a Mercedes-Benz Tourismo. Both operators will return to Blackpool in April.
