The Royal Bahrain Concours has confirmed the competition categories and the first members of its judging panel for its second edition, which takes place at the Royal Golf Club in Riffa, Bahrain, on November 6-7, 2026.
Organised by Thorough Events, the company behind the Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace and the London Concours, the event will feature eight principal classes, three dedicated car-club categories and a new broadcast platform, RBC TV.
The main concours field will encompass Pre-1940s, Modern Coachbuilt, American Heritage, British Heritage, European Heritage, Supercars and Hypercars. An eighth category, Big 6, will bring together a specially curated selection of six cars, although the organisers have yet to reveal which models will feature.
The competition will be complemented by three classes aimed at the Gulf region’s enthusiast community. Thirty Under 30, supported by banking partner BBK, will focus on younger collectors and custodians of historic machinery, while Restomod & Modified will recognise cars combining traditional design with contemporary engineering. The 4×4 Trailblazers category will celebrate the region’s long-standing enthusiasm for off-road vehicles.
Around 200 car-club vehicles are expected to be displayed alongside the main concours field, reflecting the strength and diversity of the collector car scene across Bahrain and the wider Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.
“The breadth of cars and automotive culture across Bahrain and the wider GCC is extraordinary, and we wanted this year’s categories to reflect that,” said event chairman James Brooks-Ward. “From pre-war craftsmanship and some of the great names of British, American and European motoring, through to modern coachbuilding, supercars and today’s hypercars, the 2026 Royal Bahrain Concours will bring very different eras and approaches to automotive excellence together in one place.”
The first confirmed members of the judging panel include Octane editor-in-chief James Elliott and his Classic & Sports Car counterpart Alastair Clements, the latter returning after judging the inaugural event. They will be joined by filmmaker Manish Pandey, writer of the acclaimed Senna documentary and co-director of Luca: Seeing Red, which explores the career of former Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo.
Also confirmed are Arjun Oberoi, chairman of the selection committee for The Oberoi Concours d’Elegance in India, and Victor Jennes and Justine Maison of French automotive platform Le Driviste. Automotive curators and concours specialists Flavien and Vanessa Marçais complete the first group of announced judges, with further names to follow.
Another addition for 2026 is RBC TV, a dedicated broadcasting platform offering live and on-demand coverage of the event. A purpose-built studio at the Royal Golf Club will host interviews, discussions and coverage of the judging and awards, supplemented by pre-recorded features examining the history, provenance and craftsmanship of participating cars.
Further information on the Royal Bahrain Concours 2026 is available at royalconcours.com.
