In my opinion Goodwood Motorsport events are amongst the best in the world and do much to promote British motoring history and engineering. I have been fortunate enough to attend a few of their events and they never disappoint.
Unfortunately, I have had to endure negative on line comments calling it exclusive, frivolous and just for the toffs. Clearly they have never been to Goodwood as on my visits, I found everyone to be friendly and inclusive with a shared passion for historic motorsport.
It is true that Goodwood is expensive but that is not the same as exclusive. The cost of the tickets and a hotel will set you back a significant sum. But then again Oasis tickets weren’t cheap. You can have a similar experience for much less at the Silverstone Festival or Donnington Historic but both these events have yet to reach the standard of Goodwood.
The 2026 Goodwood season kicks off on the 18-19 April with the 83rd Members’ Meeting. Over the course of the weekend, the Goodwood Motor Circuit will come alive with exhilarating on-track action and the much-anticipated Saturday night party, featuring a dazzling firework display.
Following 2025’s tribute to Ayrton Senna’s first Formula 1 victory, 83rd Members’ Meeting will celebrate the James Hunt era of Formula 1, capturing the charisma, rivalries, and spirit that defined one of the sport’s most thrilling decades. ‘The James Hunt Years’ demonstration will bring together up to 20 of the greatest Formula 1 cars from the 1970s, offering an unmissable spectacle for fans of motorsport history.
The Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard is perhaps the greatest celebration of motorsport and car culture. The Goodwood hillclimb, which winds its way up through the parkland of Goodwood House, will once again host an extraordinary array of machinery – from Formula 1 icons, cutting edge concept cars, world-class Superbikes and much more. The 2025 Festival of Speed marked 75 years of the Formula 1 World Championship, celebrating the sport’s most defining teams, drivers, and machines, and welcomed legends including Sir Jackie Stewart, Nigel Mansell, and Alain Prost.
Beyond Formula 1, the event also hosts motorsport greats, including, in 2025, four-time World Superbike Champion Carl Fogarty and five-time Le Mans winner Derek Bell. Away from the roar of engines, Future Lab presented by Randox offers a fascinating look into cutting-edge technologies and ideas shaping a better world, exploring industries such as AI, robotics and mobility. From the elegance of the Cartier Style et Luxe Concours d’Elegance to the adrenaline-fuelled track action, the Festival of Speed offers something extraordinary for every visitor.
As the grand finale to the Goodwood motorsport season, the Goodwood Revival is an unmissable celebration of motor racing’s golden age. Set against the backdrop of the Goodwood Motor Circuit’s heyday (1948–1966), it brings together breathtaking classic cars, magnificent post-war aircraft, live music, and vintage fashion for a truly immersive experience. The 2025 Goodwood Revival paid a heartfelt tribute to Jim Clark, celebrating his remarkable life both on and off the track – with a memorable moment that saw the Pit Straight filled with sheep to honour his farming roots. The event also marked key milestones such as the 75th anniversary of the Volkswagen Type 2 Split Screen, which included a one-of-a-kind livery created by American artist Daniel Arsham.
Tickets for all Goodwood events are available to purchase at goodwood.com or by calling the Ticket Office on +44 (0)1243 755055.
Brilliant piece! We’ve been fans of Goodwood for a while now. Goodwood is quite compact in ons sense; you have access to the pits and can talk to the mechanics who are quite willing to chat if they are not under the cars getting ready for racing! Drivers are also very accessible and most love to interact with anyone who wants a chat, ask a question , get an autograph or a selfie it makes for a very personal and inclusive experience. The grandstands are also very close to the circuit as are places to stand and watch. I’m not sure that this close access is available at Silverstone.
I think you said it better than me. Thanks for your comment.