The Red Bull Tennessee Knockout is one of the premier off-road motorcycle events and has helped popularize Hard Enduro motorcycle racing in the US. 2026 marks the sixteenth running of the event that reaches its 500-rider capacity each year and includes first-timers up to the world’s best Hard Enduro racers like Mani Lettenbichler, Trystan Hart, Billy Bolt, and Cody Webb. This year will include several exciting updates to the format to provide more racing time and some additional classes.
All amateur class riders will have a Friday Hot Lap with separate sessions by class level to set starting positions for Saturday morning’s TKO Race 1. Unlike recent years, all amateur riders will compete in TKO Race 1 and the top 250 riders who complete the course within the 2.5-hour time limit will move on to TKO Race 2 on Saturday afternoon. This means more track time for the top riders. Like past years, the top 30 riders in TKO Race 2 will move on to race with the pro class riders starting with the Hot-Laps that wrap up the Saturday racing. Those final Saturday Hot-Laps and Sunday races will include the Pro eMoto, Pro Four-Stroke, and Pro Two-Stroke class riders competing for class and overall glory while the top amateur riders try to make their mark against the world’s top Hard Enduro racers.
The Sunday racing will include two Knockout races plus a multi-lap main event with the top 20 riders. The main event will be extended from 35 minutes to a 45-minute-plus-one-lap format. Counting all four rounds, the top riders will race for about three hours. The extra ten minutes for the main event will allow more time for the riders to battle for the top positions and the $12,000 purse. TKO is also the final race of the AMA National Hard Enduro Championship, so riders will be chasing championships in several classes.
Classes for all levels, including new Peewee and Junior Kids Classes
TKO includes all 23 AMA National Hard Enduro Championship classes. That includes two eMoto classes for electric motorcycles, and there will be electric motorcycle demo rides to add to the fun weekend for racers and spectators.
Another exciting addition to the 2026 TKO is five Peewee and Junior classes for kids aged four to fifteen. Those classes will have their own dedicated course and races on Friday morning before the amateur Hot-Laps. These classes are available for entry at the link below.
Sign up now to secure your 2026 TKO spot and your custom Red Bull TKO Number Decal. You must enter by July 15th and request your number from the AMA National Hard Enduro Championship organizers to ensure time to get your custom number decal with your name included.
2026 TKO entries are now open: Register for the 2026 TKO.
Check out the schedule and other details HERE.
Bike transportation to TKO from California
Interested in racing Red Bull Tennessee Knockout this August, but struggling on how to get your race bike there? Justin Leineweber, the producer of the King Of The Motos, is fielding interest from west coast racers who are looking to get bikes shipped back east to race the final AMA National Hard Enduro round on August 28-30. Justin and the @getdirtydirtbikes team are considering making the haul from California.
If you are interested, please contact Jusin Leineweber komjustin@kingofthehammers.com.