Big turnout expected for 2026 World Downhill Skateboarding Championships

Global series back on the Island for a second year this weekend

A significantly boosted turnout of competitors is expected to take part in the 2026 World Downhill Skateboarding Championships (WDSC) on the Isle of Man this weekend.

Having held the inaugural Manx round of the series last year, the global event is returning for a second year for two days of action this Saturday and Sunday (4-5 July).

What's more, this year, racing will take place on a part of the mountain section of the Snaefell Mountain Course from near Joey's corner down to just past Stella Maris on the approach into Ramsey.

Entries have been capped at 60 for 2026 - around triple the number seen in 2025 - WDSC organiser, Selim Kehmali believes the 'overwhelming' welcome they had last year is one of the reasons behind the increase in demand:

Along with the global contingent contesting this round of the championships, three local competitors - Jack Killey, Juan Callister and Mark Poole - are all expected to be involved.

In preparation for this weekend's event, a section of the Mountain Road between the Bungalow in the direction of Ramsey and Lheaney Road, Ramsey will shut this evening (3 July) between 6.30pm and 11.30pm for the setting up of equipment.

On Saturday (4 July), the same section will close between 9am and no later than 11.30pm and then from 9am until no later than 11.59pm on Sunday (5 July) for time trials and racing across both days.

The Tholt-y-Will Road will remain open during the closures and the Mountain Road section between the Creg-ny-Baa and the Bungalow will be open as normal.

Meanwhile, a 'race village' will be in place during the event next to Ramsey bus station where the qualifying and racing will be shown on a big screen.