Red Bull Soapbox Race Belfast 2026: Everything You Need to Know + Highlights
More than 35,000 spectators descended on Stormont Estate, Belfast, on Sunday 17 May 2026 as the world-famous Red Bull Soapbox Race returned to Northern Ireland for the first time in almost two decades.
The Visit List was there to capture all the action as 40 teams from across the island of Ireland launched their homemade creations down the iconic Stormont hill in front of thousands of cheering spectators.
From spectacular crashes and gravity-defying jumps to incredible costumes and creative soapbox designs, it was one of Belfast's biggest and most entertaining events of the year.
Where Was the Red Bull Soapbox Race Held?
The event took place at Stormont Estate in East Belfast, with the famous Prince of Wales Avenue transformed into a purpose-built 610-metre downhill racecourse.
The route featured six exciting obstacles designed to test every team's creation, including jumps, ramps, water hazards and technical sections that pushed both drivers and soapboxes to their limits.
Thousands of spectators lined the course from the early hours of the morning to secure the best viewing spots, creating an incredible festival atmosphere throughout the estate.
40 Teams Took on the Challenge
A total of 40 teams competed, each designing and building their own gravity-powered soapbox before taking on the course.
What makes the Red Bull Soapbox Race so unique is that competitors aren't judged on speed alone. Teams are also scored on creativity, engineering and entertainment, with every entry performing in front of the judges before racing downhill.
Some of our favourite creations included:
Wheely Wonkas – inspired by Willy Wonka's chocolate factory.
Rory Mania – a brilliant tribute to golf superstar Rory McIlroy.
Who You Gonna Call? – a Ghostbusters-inspired soapbox from Armagh.
Knowledge On Wheels – representing Enniskillen.
The Pretengineers – whose impressive build would go on to win the overall competition.
Every team brought something completely different, making every run just as entertaining as the last.
The Best Moments From the Day
While there were some incredibly fast runs, the biggest cheers often came when things didn't quite go to plan.
Some soapboxes flew over the jumps perfectly before racing towards the finish line, while others lost wheels, spun off course or came to a dramatic stop after hitting the obstacles.
The atmosphere around Stormont was fantastic throughout the day, with live entertainment, music, food vendors and thousands of spectators enjoying one of the most unique events Belfast has hosted in years.
Despite a brief hail shower during the afternoon, crowds stayed put to watch every team take on the course.
Who Won?
After an unforgettable afternoon of racing, The Pretengineers from County Wicklow were crowned the winners, impressing the judges with the perfect combination of creativity, performance and speed.
The final podium was:
🥇 The Pretengineers (Wicklow)
🥈 Who You Gonna Call? (Armagh)
🥉 Wheely Wonkas (Newry)
The event was hosted by Andrew Trimble and Kayleigh Trappe, while judging duties were carried out by a panel including Olympic hockey star Ayeisha McFerran, podcaster Gerry Lavz, motoring journalist Darren Liggett, fitness creator Keeva Neely and DJ Onai.
Watch Our Highlights
Our team at The Visit List was there throughout the day capturing all the biggest moments, including the fastest runs, funniest crashes, incredible soapbox designs and the fantastic atmosphere around Belfast.
🎥 Watch our Red Bull Soapbox Race Belfast highlights video HERE to relive the best moments from the day.