The roar of engines at WestWorld of Scottsdale signals more than just a gathering of riders; it marks the arrival of the Southwest’s premier motorcycle tradition.
From Wednesday, April 8, to Sunday, April 12, Arizona Bike Week transforms WestWorld into a high-octane celebration of motor culture.
According to co-producer Lisa Cyr, the event’s legacy is built on a foundation of intense enthusiasm and a massive economic impact that resonates throughout the region, solidifying its reputation as the largest rally in the Southwest.
Recognized as the “Southwest’s biggest bike rally,” the 29th annual event is Wednesday, April 8, to Sunday, April 12, 2026, at WestWorld of Scottsdale. The five-day festival is one of the best-attended cultural events on the national motorsports calendar, attracting an estimated 75,000 to 100,000 attendees.
The rally’s impact extends far beyond its venue. A 2024 economic impact study revealed that the event generated $15.2 million for Scottsdale alone.
“That doesn’t count the money that was taken in at WestWorld,” she said.
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For guests, the PowerYard and its HellRacer Dome are practical starting points, offering free admission until 5 p.m.
Inside the PowerYard guests will find more than 250 vendors, daily entertainment, the Handlebar Saloon and bike shows.
About 250 motorcycle-related vendors will sell items including fine leather goods, jewelry, parts and accessories and sound systems, she said.
“We also have an IV drip station if you get tired,” Cyr said. “We have tattoos (artists). People can really spend a lot of time shopping out there and just checking out all the things that are offered by all the vendors.”
The HellRacer Dome houses concerts, stunt and bike shows, and a lineup of racing and experiences to educate riders and “captivate spectators.”
A fan favorite is flat track racing, which returned to the HellRacer Dome last year after a multi-year hiatus. Known for its loyal fanbase and intense bike-on-bike action, flat track racers ride around a 1/8-mile dirt track with careful precision and skill.
Professional racer Johnny Lewis will teach participants to be confident and have control on two wheels in the HellRacer Dome. Electric Unicycle Racing from Amped Electric Games will also draw fans to the HellRacer Dome, adding fast-paced and unexpected twists. Participating riders reach high speeds while balancing on a single wheel.
“The HellRacer Dome is a favorite hangout for our motorsports enthusiasts,” Cyr said.
“But even non-riders should check it out. The action inside is fast, fun and totally unpredictable, giving guests a front-row seat to all the excitement.”
Beyond traditional enthusiasts, the rally draws music fans and tourists, bolstering Scottsdale’s hospitality and retail sectors during the peak spring season.
“Everybody has such a good time there,” Cyr said. “The motorcycle stunt shows are really breathtaking for people who haven’t seen a lot of motorcycle stunt shows before.
“We always hope that we can convert some people and draw them into our lifestyle and our culture. They’re ready to welcome people with open arms and show you what riding is all about. It’s always nice to welcome our four-wheel friends to into our world.”
Arizona Bike Week’s 29th installment will see the Arena Wars Fighting Series, on Saturday, April 11, in The Pit. The MMA and combat sports showcase promises action, with fighters stepping into the cage for intense matchups against a backdrop of bikes and the energy of the rally. The 2026 installment will also welcome the return of fan-favorite stunt and bike shows and other crowd favorites like the Used Bike Corral, where bike enthusiasts can buy and sell, or browse motorcycles onsite throughout the event.
The Pit is a hub of action, but the RockYard will host headliners Black Stone Cherry (Wednesday, April 8); Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening (Thursday, April 9); Cody Jinks (Friday, April 10) and Ted Nugent (Saturday, April 11).
“It’s every bit of a music fest, as much as it is a motorcycle rally at this point,” Cyr said. “A lot of people come just for the music and enjoy all of the other motorcycle activities that go along with it.”
Hiring bands is tricky, she said. Take Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening, for example.
“They play all over the world,” Cyr said. “So, it’s hard to catch them when they’re in this country. I’m really excited that we were able to make that happen.
“Obviously, (Robert) Plant and (Jimmy) Page are not touring anymore. They made that really clear to people. If you want to hear Led Zeppelin, this is the closest you’re going to get to it. I know a lot of us are longtime music fans who still love Led Zeppelin.”
Black Stone Cherry was booked due to demand, Cyr explained.
“We do surveys on social media, asking who they want to see at Arizona Bike Week,” she explained. “I see Black Stone Cherry pop up all the time.
“I wasn’t familiar with their music, but I thought, ‘This is a ‘musicians’ band.’ I love that. That means these are really talented guys with a unique sound.”
Local bands competed for spots to support the headliners. Arizona Bike Week stands behind the Valley music scene.
“We have some really talented bands in the Valley. Outside of our headliners, we have 28 or so local bands,” Cyr said.
Christopher Shayne and his rock/southern rock sound is among those acts. He said the “energy in the air” inspires his stage show.
“There’s just this feeling around you with people doing stunts and good music,” Shayne said. “We’re friends with a lot of the bands. So, we get to see our friends that we don’t get to see that often.
“The people behind Arizona Bike Week are just the best.”
Drop Diezel will support Bonham, while Stereo Rex opens for Nugent.
Acts from the Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock Teen Centers will hit the stage sporadically throughout the festival, but all day on Sunday.
Arizona Bike Week has numerous ticket options. The PowerYard allows free entry until 5 p.m. with paid access available after that time.
Ticket prices are slotted per experience. Guests can camp in RVs or tents to stay close to the event; reservations start at $422.
Rally Passes start at $192.50, while fans can purchase single-day passes, including that night’s concert, for $25. Power Yard multi-day passes start at $47.65, but do not include RockYard access. Other ticketing packages are available.
“One of our core values is to keep this as affordable as possible,” Cyr said. “Our Rally Pass includes all four concerts and all five days of the other activities.
“We want to make sure that anybody who wants to come to four concerts in a week can afford to, because that’’ not really doable for a lot of us. These days, ticket prices are out of control, and especially since COVID. We are always hyper focused on getting sponsor dollars so we can keep the ticket prices down. We’re not getting rich.”
Arizona Bike Week was founded in 1997 by a local group of motorcycle-riding friends. Cyr said the motorcycle community believed the Valley has the best conditions for a motorcycle rally.
“It was a very, very loose gathering and the bulk of it was in Avondale that year,” Cyr said.
Upon reorganization, the event moved to the now-shuttered Chauncey’s Arabian Horse Ranch, near Scottsdale Road and the Loop 101. (The venue has since been replaced by high-end car dealerships.)
In 2000, Arizona Bike Week moved to West World, the name was trademarked and Rich Dillman took it over. Six years later, new ownership came in and brought with it nightly concerts that were included in general admission.
Cyr is juggling 10 open windows on her computer, working on the event schedule so events on the three stages do not overlap, and the emcee’s script.
“There are a lot of moving parts to sync everything,” she said. “I don’t want the Globe of Death show going on the same time a band is playing because one will drown out the other.
“Everything is in proximity to something else. I don’t want someone making important announcements when a band is doing soundcheck. All of our stage schedules are organized down to the minute.”
The audience doubled in 2006, when concerts were added to the bill. Since then, organizers have seen a 10% to 15% growth per year.
“It’s just been an upward trajectory since the concerts to go along with motorcycle riding,” Cyr said.
“We are so fortunate this event has grown at such a rapid rate. We have a tremendous infrastructure here to support large events coming in. We have the perfect riding weather; we have unlimited scenic riding terrain. We’re knocking on the door of events that have been around for 80 or more years. We’re very young, by rally standards.”
Learn more about Arizona Bike Week or purchase tickets at AZBikeWeek.com.
