Monster Energy AMA 2026 Amateur Motocross: Qualifier and Regional Dates Released
The grind for the 45th Annual Monster Energy AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship is officially underway. MX Sports has just dropped the schedule for the Area Qualifiers and Regional Championships, and for thousands of hopefuls, the roadmap to the ranch is finally clear. Here is the lowdown on what the AMA 2026 season looks like, from the local tracks to the hallowed grounds of Loretta Lynn’s.
The First Hurdle: Area Qualifiers
The path to the ranch kicks off at the local level. For 2026, MX Sports has laid out a massive slate of over 50 Area Qualifiers spread across 35 states. This is the grassroots level of the sport, where you load up the van, grab your gear bag, and see if you have the speed to move on.
The schedule is designed to give riders across the country a shot. Whether you are battling rutted corners in the Northeast or navigating hardpack in the Southwest, there is a gate drop near you.
The process kicks off as early as February and runs through May. It’s a grueling few months, but surviving the Area Qualifiers is the only ticket to the next round. You have to finish in those top qualifying positions to keep the dream alive.
Stepping Up to the Big Leagues
If you make it out of the Areas, welcome to the pressure cooker. The 13 Regional Championships are where the intensity ramps up. This isn’t just about making the cut anymore. This is about seeding. Only the best from the Regionals punch their ticket to the National Championship.
What I love about the AMA 2026 schedule is the caliber of tracks on the roster. We aren’t just talking about local fields here. We are talking about the cathedrals of American motocross. Riders in the Northeast will be banging bars at Budds Creek and High Point.
If you are in the South Central region, you might be heading to Thunder Valley. Out west? You’re looking at legendary dirt like Hangtown (Prairie City MX) and Washougal. There is something special about an amateur ripping a lap on the same soil where the Pros battle on Saturdays.
It gives you a taste of the big time, and for the kids looking to turn pro one day, that experience is invaluable.The Regional Championships run from late May through June, featuring heavy hitters like RedBud for the Mid-East and The Wick 338 for the Northeast. Surviving these rounds requires more than just speed; it takes fitness, bike reliability, and a little bit of luck.
New Dirt for the AMA 2026 Season
It is always good to see fresh venues added to the mix, keeping the series interesting for the veterans who make the pilgrimage every year. For the AMA 2026 season, three new locations are joining the rotation.
If you are in the North Central region, keep an eye on HLR Motorsports in Huntsville, Missouri, which hosts a qualifier in early May. BCMX Adventure Park in Cambridge, Minnesota, is also joining the North Central lineup mid-May.
Down south, the Texans get a new playground: Metroplex Motocross Park in Fort Worth, which hosts a South Central Area Qualifier in late April. It’s always cool to see new promoters getting a shot at hosting these prestigious events.
Chasing History at the Ranch
Why do we do it? Why do we spend the money, drive the miles, and endure the injuries? Because of what happens from August 3rd through August 8th.Loretta Lynn’s Ranch isn’t just a track. It is the proving ground. It’s where Ricky Carmichael became the G.O.A.T.
It’s where James Stewart invented the Bubba Scrub. It’s where Ryan Dungey and Ryan Villopoto showed the world they were ready for the big show. Getting there is the “World’s Greatest Motocross Vacation,” but once the gate drops, it’s all business.
This is the largest and most prestigious amateur motocross racing program on the planet.So, get your AMA membership sorted, check the supplemental rules, and start prepping the bike. The AMA 2026 road to Loretta’s is open, and I’ll see you at the track.
