By SEMA News Editors
SEMA has officially opened entries for the 2026 SEMA Battle of the Builders Presented by Mothers, introducing a new motorcycle category and the all-new SEMA Battle of the Builders: Bike Builder Shootout.
For more than a decade, SEMA Battle of the Builders has recognized the industry's most talented vehicle builders, providing a platform to showcase the creativity, craftsmanship and innovation behind some of the most innovative custom builds in the world. For 2026, the competition will expand its reach to include motorcycles, giving custom bike builders a dedicated opportunity to compete and earn recognition on the industry's biggest stage.
"Motorcycles have always been a vital part of the customization community, and we're excited to officially bring these builders into the SEMA Battle of the Builders spotlight," said SEMA Vice President of Marketing RJ de Vera. "The Bike Builder Shootout creates a new platform for motorcycle builders to showcase their craftsmanship, creativity and passion while competing alongside some of the most talented custom bike builders in the industry."
The new SEMA Battle of the Builders: Bike Builder Shootout will feature a dedicated motorcycle competition recognizing standout custom bikes from builders across the country. Entries will be evaluated by a panel of motorcycle industry experts based on craftsmanship, design innovation and overall execution. The inaugural judging panel will include Zach Ness of Arlen Ness Motorcycles, Jeff Holt of V-Twin Visionary and Pat Patterson of Led Sled Customs--three respected leaders in the custom motorcycle community with decades of combined experience building, designing and promoting motorcycle culture.
Motorcycle judges will review submissions before selecting the Top 10 finalists. Those finalists will then help determine the Top 3 category winners and select the overall Bike Builder Shootout champion--creating a competition judged by the builders and industry experts who understand the craft firsthand.
"The motorcycle community has always been built on creativity, craftsmanship and a passion for creating something unique," said Judge Chairman Bob Kay. "The Bike Builder Shootout gives builders a dedicated platform to showcase the time, skill and innovation behind their machines while being recognized alongside some of the most talented builders in the industry. We're excited to be part of a program that celebrates the people pushing motorcycle customization forward."
The new Motorcycle category joins the four existing automotive competition classes: Hot Rod & Hot Rod Truck; 4 Wheel Drive & Off-Road; Sport Compact, Import Performance, Luxury & Exotic; and BFGoodrich Young Guns. Automotive finalists will continue to compete in their own competition and will have a separate Battle of the Builders overall winner.
The expansion into motorcycles reflects SEMA's continued commitment to growing opportunities across the specialty-equipment industry and expanding the powersports presence at the SEMA Show. As SEMA continues to develop its powersports footprint, the Bike Builder Shootout highlights the innovation, craftsmanship and creativity driving the future of customization.
Attendees at the 2026 SEMA Show will be able to experience the Bike Builder Shootout and Battle of the Builders Presented by Mothers competition live in Central Hall, which will showcase some of the most innovative vehicles and builders in the industry. Registration details for the SEMA Show are available at www.semashow.com/register.
The 2026 SEMA Battle of the Builders Presented by Mothers will take place during the SEMA Show, November 3–6, in Las Vegas. For more information or to enter, visit www.semabotb.com.
