The Playoffs and Final locations for the 2026 Monster Energy SMX World Championship have been announced. Historic Crew Stadium, Dignity Health Sports Park, and Thunder Ridge Nature Arena named as host locations.
This is a press release from the SMX League…
Anaheim, CA (January 9, 2026) – During today’s Monster Energy SMX World Championship season-opening press conference in Anaheim, California, the SMX League announced that Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio; Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California; and Thunder Ridge Nature Arena in Ridgedale, Missouri will host the 2026 SMX World Championship Playoffs and Final in September.
Last year’s historic post season saw two-time SMX World Champion Jett Lawrence secure his third world title, once again edging out his brother Hunter and remaining the only premier-class athlete to win the coveted championship since its inception in 2023. In the 250SMX Class, Japan’s Jo Shimoda captured his first championship, defeating two-time titleholder Haiden Deegan in a thrilling, winner take all showdown under the lights in Las Vegas. Shimoda also became the sport’s first-ever Japanese champion.
SMX World Championship Playoff 1 will take place on Saturday, September 12 at Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Playoff 2 will take place on Saturday, September 19 at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. The SMX World Championship Final will take place on Saturday, September 26 at Thunder Ridge Nature Arena in Ridgedale, Missouri.
Columbus sits at the heart of the Midwest, a region long known for its passionate motorsports fan base and deep grassroots racing culture. Ohio has produced generations of riders and racing fans, making Historic Crew Stadium a natural fit for the SMX World Championship Playoffs. Ohio is home to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame and will also host Round 14 of the 2026 series at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland.
Southern California is a staple in the Supercross and Motocross racing history books, making the area highly desirable for racing when the opportunity presents. The 2026 regular season will host four rounds in Southern California, including this weekend’s opener, before returning for the post-season in September. Situated in the greater Los Angeles area, Dignity Health Sports Park brings the Monster Energy SMX World Championship Playoffs to a market with a long-standing connection to the sport and a strong motorsports and media presence.
Announced earlier today as part of a larger partnership with Bass Pro Shops, the SMX series will culminate in a special World Championship Final at Thunder Ridge Nature Arena in Ridgedale, Missouri, which has already drawn rave reviews as one of the most picturesque and jaw-dropping venues in North America. Set within a stunning natural amphitheater, Thunder Ridge Nature Arena presents a one-of-a-kind outdoor experience that promises to create unforgettable memories by combining the natural beauty of the Ozarks with the striking architecture that seamlessly integrates into the surrounding environment. The SMX Finals will deliver world-class racing alongside a premier stay at Big Cedar Lodge, the Official Accommodations partner, featuring championship-level golf, exceptional restaurants and an immersive outdoor experience across its iconic resort.
VIDEO | Three New Venues – SMX World Championship Playoff and Final Teaser
The SMX World Championship Playoffs and Final will feature the best athletes in the world as the top 20 in combined Supercross and Pro Motocross points are automatically seeded into the playoff rounds. As in other sport playoffs, athletes will be competing for the sport’s ultimate World Championship title, and the prestige that comes from overcoming adversity through a 28-round, dual-discipline (indoor and outdoor) season, plus two SMX Playoffs and a Final.
All 17 rounds of the 2026 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and 11 rounds of the Pro Motocross Championship are on sale. Tickets for the SMX World Championship Playoff Rounds and Final will go on pre-sale Tuesday, January 27, with general tickets on-sale to the public on Tuesday, February 3 at Supermotocross.com. Saturday FanFest will take place at all postseason races, Friday FanFest and camping will be available in Columbus and Ridgedale, additional details to follow.
For more information regarding the SMX World Championship, please visit SuperMotocross.com
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The following news was posted September 30, 2025
The SMX League announced the full 2026 Monster Energy SMX World Championship regular season schedule. The 17-race Supercross schedule is set to visit 16 different cities across 13 states, from California and Arizona to Ohio and Pennsylvania. New to the schedule this season is a stop at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio for the first time in over 30 years. After a brief hiatus, stops in Houston, Texas at NRG Stadium and Nashville, Tennessee at Nissan Stadium, return.
Tickets are on sale for all 17 rounds of the 2026 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship. Supercross pre-sale begins today at 10 a.m. ET for preferred customers and runs through next Monday, October 6. Tickets will then become available to the public starting on Tuesday, October 7 at 10 a.m. ET and then 10 a.m. in each subsequent time zone. Fans can sign up for preferred access or make ticket purchases online at SupercrossLIVE.com. Pro Motocross tickets will go on sale at a later date. Fans can also sign up for SMX Texts to receive the latest information and updates coming out of the SMX League. Ticketing information for Daytona International Speedway (Round 8) in Daytona Beach, Fla. can be found at the following link: DAYTONA Supercross.
The first of three Triple Crown events will take place at Round 4 on Saturday, January 31 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas followed by rounds 9 and 14 on Saturday, March 7 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana and Saturday, April 18 at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio. The Triple Crown, three-race format is a break from the traditional one Main Event race format and has become a fan favorite since its inception in 2018.
The biggest stars in the sport will be lining up at the Anaheim Opener in January as the 450SX Class once again promises to deliver one of the deepest fields in recent memory. Five past champions – Jason Anderson, Eli Tomac, Chase Sexton, defending Supercross champion Cooper Webb, and defending SMX World Champion Jett Lawrence (Australia) will all be fighting for another title. Vying for their first crack at the crown will be top contenders Hunter Lawrence (Australia, SMX World Championship and Pro Motocross runner-up), Ken Roczen (Germany), Dylan Ferrandis (France), Justin Cooper, Aaron Plessinger, Malcolm Stewart, and Justin Barcia each of whom are former champions, race winners, and podium finishers.
West Division 250SX Class Championship:
- Round 1 – Anaheim, Calif. on Saturday, January 10 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim
- Round 2 – San Diego, Calif. on Saturday, January 17 at Snapdragon Stadium
- Round 3 – Anaheim, Calif. on Saturday, January 24 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim
- Round 4 – Houston, Texas on Saturday, January 31 at NRG Stadium
- Round 5 – Glendale, Ariz. on Saturday, February 7 at State Farm Stadium
- Round 6 – Seattle, Wash. on Saturday, February 14 at Lumen Field
- Round 16 – Denver, Colo. on Saturday, May 2 at Empower Field at Mile High
East Division 250SX Class Championship:
- Round 7 – Arlington, Texas on Saturday, February 21 at AT&T Stadium
- Round 8 – Daytona Beach Fla. on Saturday, February 28 at Daytona International Speedway
- Round 9 – Indianapolis, Ind. on Saturday, March 7 at Lucas Oil Stadium
- Round 11 – Detroit, Mich. on Saturday, March 28 at Ford Field
- Round 13 – Nashville, Tenn. on Saturday, April 11 at Nissan Stadium
- Round 14 – Cleveland, Ohio on Saturday, April 18 at Huntington Bank Field
- Round 15 – Philadelphia, Penn. on Saturday, April 25 at Lincoln Financial Field
The first East/West Showdown will be held on Saturday, March 21 at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Ala. (Round 10). The second will be held on Saturday, April 4 at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Mo. (Round 12) and the Dave Coombs Sr. East/West Showdown will be Saturday, May 9 at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah (Round 17).
As it has been for more than five decades, the outdoor component of the regular season will feature the same hallowed venues for the 55th edition of the Pro Motocross Championship. The summer campaign will once again consist of 11 races and 22 grueling motos but will begin one week later than what has been tradition, which will give the world’s best racers and the sport’s most elite teams an additional week of preparation following Supercross and a well-deserved weekend at home during the Memorial Day holiday.
When the series shifts outdoors on May 30, defending champion Jett Lawrence will look to extend his dominance against former champions Chase Sexton, Eli Tomac, Dylan Ferrandis, and Ken Roczen. Challenging for their first Pro Motocross title are 2025 runner-up Hunter Lawrence, fourth-place finisher Justin Cooper, fifth-place finisher RJ Hampshire in his rookie campaign, as well as Jorge Prado and Aaron Plessinger.
