The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) has opened entries for the 2026 SEMA Battle of the Builders Presented by Mothers.
The custom vehicle competition will return during the 2026 SEMA Show, set for Tuesday, Nov. 3, through Friday, Nov. 6, in Las Vegas.
Motorcycles added for 2026
Now in its 13th year, Battle of the Builders will expand in 2026 to include motorcycles.
The new SEMA Battle of the Builders: Bike Builder Shootout will recognize the top three motorcycle builders and name an overall Bike Builder champion.
“It’s always exciting to see builders push creative boundaries year after year, and the addition of powersports brings an entirely new level of energy and excitement to the program,” says RJ de Vera, vice president of marketing at SEMA.
Motorcycle entries will be judged separately by motorcycle industry judges. The judges will evaluate craftsmanship, design, and overall execution. The top 10 finalists will then help determine the top three winners and overall motorcycle champion.
Core automotive classes return
The 2026 competition will also include four automotive classes: Hot Rod & Hot Rod Truck; 4 Wheel Drive & Off-Road; Sport Compact, Import Performance, Luxury & Exotic; and BFGoodrich Young Guns.
A panel of aftermarket industry judges will review eligible submissions, including build descriptions and photography. Judges will also conduct in-person reviews on the SEMA Show floor.
The process will narrow entries to a top 10 in each category and then a top three. Those 12 finalists will serve as judges to determine category winners and the overall Battle of the Builders champion.
Young Guns highlights emerging builders
The BFGoodrich Young Guns category is open to builders who are 29 years old or younger at the time of the SEMA Show.
Entrants may be selected for virtual Golden Ticket competitions during the summer. Prize packages can include vehicle transportation to Las Vegas, travel, and hotel accommodations.
At the show, the top 10 BFGoodrich Young Guns finalists will compete within their own field before judges select a top three.
SEMA Battle of the Builders entries are open at www.semabotb.com.
About SEMA Show
The SEMA Show is a trade event produced by the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), a nonprofit trade association founded in 1963. The annual show brings together manufacturers and buyers in the automotive specialty equipment industry. The 2026 SEMA Show will take place Nov. 3-6 in Las Vegas. For more info, visit www.semashow.com.
Press release submitted by SEMA. Edited by Exhibit City News for clarity, length, and style.
