Schedule changes announced for 2027 North West 200

Meeting pushed back one week and practice starting a day earlier

Changes have been announced for the North West 200 schedule for 2027.

Unveiling plans for the meeting this week, it's been confirmed the Northern Ireland road race is being pushed back by one week next year and will be held from Tuesday, 11 May to Saturday, 15 May.

Furthermore, practice taking place on the Tuesday and Thursday of that week marks a change back to the format of several years ago - over the last three years, practice at the event has begun on the Wednesday.

BBC Sport NI reports that the reason for moving the races back one week next year is to avoid a clash with the Northern Ireland Assembly election and local council elections which are currently scheduled for Thursday, 6 May 2027.

As it stands, practice at the North West 200 will take place on the 'Triangle' course on Tuesday, 11 May and Thursday, 13 May.

That will be followed by the first three races on the evening of Thursday, 13 May before centre-piece 'Race Day' involving six showdowns on Saturday, 15 May.

Further details on the practice and race schedule are yet to be announced.