More than 10,000 visitors descended on the RDS, Dublin over the bank holiday weekend as the inaugural
European Motor Show made a high-impact debut, cementing its position as a major new fixture on Europe’s motoring calendar.
The two-day festival brought together motorsport legends, industry leaders, car manufacturers and families for a celebration of cars, culture, innovation and performance, with a packed live stage, immersive zones and strong engagement across all areas of the show.
A standout moment of the weekend came with Christian Horner making his first public appearance since stepping away from Red Bull Racing. Speaking on the main stage, Horner confirmed that his future in Formula 1 “is not over”, drawing significant attention from Irish, UK and international media and reinforcing the European Motor Show’s ability to attract global headline talent.
The speaker line-up also featured well-known and emerging voices from across motorsport, performance, broadcasting and innovation, including; Charley Boorman, Alex Dunne, Tiff Needell, Laura Jordan O’Connell, Tatiana Calderón, Conor Moore, Bradley Scanes, Kayls Cole and many more, with live interviews, and panel discussions running over the Saturday and Sunday.
Following the success of the 2026 event, Close Brothers Motor Finance has today confirmed its continued support of the festival, signing on as the Headline Partner for year two when the European Motor Show returns to the RDS in 2027 on 30 & 31 January.
Donal Murphy, CEO, Close Brothers Motor Finance, said; “It has been a rewarding year so far for everyone at Close Brothers Motor Finance. Being headline sponsor of the European Motor Show in its inaugural year here in Dublin was genuinely something special, both for our team and for the wider automotive industry. The innovation, collaboration and energy on display reflected how far the sector has come and the role Ireland now plays on the European stage. We’re proud to have supported the show in this way and are excited to continue our partnership with the European Motor Show as we return to the RDS next year for a second year in Dublin.”
Ian Hyland, President of Business & Finance and Founder of the European Motor Show, said: “Year one exceeded our expectations on every level, from attendance and speaker calibre to industry engagement and public response. To welcome more than 10,000 visitors in our inaugural year is a huge achievement, and having Close Brothers Motor Finance commit to year two is a strong vote of confidence in the vision for this festival. We’re incredibly grateful for their support and excited to build on this momentum as we look ahead to 2027.”
The 2026 European Motor Show featured a wide range of zones and experiences, including live stage interviews, the Cannonball showcase, family-focused areas, future mobility and technology exhibits, and displays from leading automotive brands.
Clare Kilmartin, COO of the European Motor Show, added: “What we saw across the weekend was proof that there is real appetite for an inclusive, forward-looking motoring festival that reflects the full breadth of the industry today. We’re already deep into planning for the 2027 Dublin show, with exciting speakers, expanded features and new experiences in development. It will be even bigger and more ambitious, building directly on the success of 2026.”
A key highlight for many families was the introduction of an Autism-Friendly Hour each day, and dedicated Sensory Room, which were widely praised by parents and carers. These initiatives allowed families with neurodivergent children to enjoy the event in a supportive and welcoming environment, reinforcing the show’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion.
With plans already underway for 2027, the European Motor Show will remain in Dublin for a second year and return to the RDS with expanded content, major international speakers, enhanced live experiences and an even broader industry presence.