2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed begins today near Chichester

Thursday, 9 July 2026 09:12

Goodwood Festival of Speed - CREDIT: Photographer Lee Taylor AKA: 1981Photographer

The Goodwood Festival of Speed gets underway today, bringing four days of world-class motorsport to Goodwood House, near Chichester.

The event runs from 9 July to 12 July 2026 and is expected to attract huge crowds, with extra traffic and congestion likely on roads around the venue.

This year’s theme is “The Rivals – Epic Racing Duels”, celebrating some of the greatest battles in motorsport history, including James Hunt versus Niki Lauda and Ford versus Ferrari.

Goodwood describes the Festival of Speed as motorsport’s “ultimate summer garden party”, held in the parkland surrounding Goodwood House. The event brings together cars, bikes, drivers, riders, manufacturers and fans from across the world.

Visitors can expect action on the famous Hillclimb, with cars and motorcycles taking on the course throughout the event.

Away from the Hill, the festival includes paddocks, automotive displays, new car launches, the Forest Rally Stage and the Off-Road Arena. Goodwood says the event brings together Formula 1, endurance racing, WRC, MotoGP and other motorsport disciplines, with iconic machines filling the paddocks and taking part in demonstrations.

The Festival of Speed first started in 1993 and has since become one of Goodwood’s flagship events.

Motorists heading towards Chichester and the Goodwood area are being warned to expect delays and to plan ahead.

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