Donington Park for WSBK: First-Impressions & What To Expect
- Lee & Debbie
- Jul 15
- 8 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
A First Timer's Guide To Attending the British Round of WSBK At Donington Park
We recently returned from our first weekend at Donington Park for the British Round of the World Superbikes Championship (WSBK) and what an experience it was! As lifelong MotoGP fans who enjoy attending Silverstone each year, we were eager to explore a different side of motorcycle racing at one of the UK’s most loved circuits - Donington Park. When we were planning our trip, we found there wasn't much practical information about attending WSBK at Donington, so we’ve put this guide together to help other fans make the most of their weekend.
In this post, we’ll be sharing our first impressions of Donington Park as both a racing circuit and an event venue. We’ll cover what there is to see and do across the weekend, how to meet the riders, the best viewing spots, how the overall event compares to MotoGP at Silverstone and all the useful insights we picked up during our first visit to WSBK at Donington Park. Let's explore!
UPDATE: Tickets are now on sale for the 2026 race weekend. The earlybird offer is available until January 31st 2026.
Contents
First Impressions & Circuit Atmosphere.
The first thing that struck us upon arriving at Donington Park for WSBK was just how close to circuit you could get. We entered through the Esses Entrance and the track was immediately there in front of us! The proximity to the action is seriously impressive, especially when compared to Silverstone, where you feel much farther removed from most viewing areas around the track. At the Fogarty Esses, there’s barely anything between you and the bikes flying past. It made for an incredible first impression and instantly set the tone for an up-close, high-adrenaline weekend of racing.
Another thing that really stood out was how easy the circuit is to navigate and how compact and well laid out everything is. From the food stalls and toilets to the trade village, paddock and podium area, everything feels conveniently close and is within easy walking distance on paved paths. All of this is just a short walk away from different viewing areas around the track, making it easy to catch post-race celebrations without missing the action.
The crowds are also much more manageable compared to Silverstone, which gives the whole event a more relaxed, friendly atmosphere. The mix of people was great too, with older fans, families with young children, teens and younger adults with a noticeable mix of nationalities and backgrounds and a strong female presence too - both as fans and also as part of the paddock.
The overall vibe was relaxed, fun and welcoming - definitely family-friendly, but still exciting for hardcore fans. It never felt overwhelming or too hectic, which made it easy to just enjoy the racing and soak up the atmosphere.
What To See & Do.
There’s plenty to keep you busy across the race weekend at Donington Park. Beyond the main WSBK sessions and races, there was a strong lineup of support races this year, including the Women’s Circuit Racing (WCR), Supersport (WorldSSP) and more, offering great value for money.
In addition to the racing, there was plenty of off-track entertainment to enjoy throughout the weekend. One of the biggest surprises for us was that paddock access was included with general admission tickets, unlike at Silverstone where it requires an extra ticket. From here, you could see the team trucks and hospitality areas and watch riders coming and going from the garages. Many riders were happy to stop to take photos and sign autographs if they weren't too busy and because the event wasn't overly crowded, we were able to meet a few riders - including Nicolo Bulega, Jonny Rea and Alvaro Bautista - and some of our favourite TV presenters over the two days we were there, which really added to our experience.
The paddock area was a real highlight for us, offering some of the best access and atmosphere of the whole weekend. Victory Lane and the podium celebrations take place right in the middle of the crowd, which really brings you into the heart of it all. We were lucky to be there with family members who’ve been to Donington many times before and knew where to stand to catch fist bumps and high-fives from the podium finishers, including Toprak and Bulega. We’ll share exactly where to go and how to meet the riders in our tips section below.
The Paddock Show added even more to the experience, with rider interviews, autograph sessions and events like the Two Wheels for Life charity auction. It all added up to a weekend that felt genuinely special and surprisingly personal for a world-class event.
There were plenty of food trucks and merchandise stalls dotted around the venue, adding to the festival-like atmosphere. The merch stalls offered everything from team caps and shirts to artwork and collectibles, ideal for picking up a souvenir or two. The food options ranged from classic trackside favourites like burgers and chips to wood-fired pizzas, Greek style wraps and sweet treats. A few bars and drinks stands were also dotted around the site, including complimentary prosecco from the event's main sponsor's stand.
Prices were fairly typical for an event like this and from what we could see, the queues were generally manageable. A big plus is that Donington allows you to bring in your own food and drink (including alcohol), which is a great option if you want to keep costs down.
Update: Tickets are now on sale for the 2026 race weekend. The earlybird offer is available until January 31st 2026.
Best Viewing Areas.
Donington Park offers several great spots depending on what kind of race experience you want. We managed to check out the more popular areas across the two days we were there. Here's a quick breakdown.
• Race Start. Head to the infield viewing area along the Wheatcroft Straight to watch the race build up and the start of the race. You can access this area via two tunnels - one near the paddock and another at the Fogarty Esses. Arrive around 25 minutes early on Saturday and 45 minutes early on Sunday for the best viewing spots.
• Elevated Views. Once the race starts, we recommend heading to the infield area at Old Hairpin, Starkey's Bridge and Schwantz Curve. This hill offers great elevated views of the track. Note that commentary over the speakers is quite quiet here, so bring a small portable radio to stay updated. On the plus side, this is one of the few areas with a screen.
• Close to the Action. The Fogarty Esses is perfect for getting close to the track with minimal fencing blocking your view, while the Melbourne Loop offers some exciting, intense battles and a nice bit of banking if you want to sit.
• Best of Everything. For a great all-round experience, head to Redgate and Hollywood. This area has a great atmosphere with families and groups relaxing on the hill. The slight elevation gives clear views of the first corner and the fast run down to Craner Curves. There’s also a screen and commentary here too. If you prefer a seat, you can upgrade your ticket for the Hollywood grandstand located in this area. This was our favourite spot but be sure to arrive early to secure a good view.
Tips To Enhance Your Weekend.
• Enter through the Esses Entrance. This was the quickest way in, with minimal queues for parking and ticket scanning. Avoid the main entrance if you can - our family left that way and found much longer queues to exit at the end of the day.
• Arrive Early for Paddock Access. The paddock area is much quieter early in the day, making it easier to browse the merch stalls, move between the trucks and meet the riders.
• Meeting Riders. If you want to meet your favourite riders, hang around their garage entrances between sessions. Most are happy to stop for photos and autographs when they're not too busy. Also, check for designated signing sessions at the merchandise tents - riders like Chloe Jones, Redding, Locatelli, Rea and Gardner had scheduled times. Keep your eyes peeled for spontaneous encounters too. The Paddock Show also hosted autograph sessions with all the riders, so be sure to check out the schedule and arrive early in front of the stage.
• Best Days for Different Experiences. Friday offers the best chance to meet riders with fewer crowds. Saturday is great for a quieter podium experience and fan events like the Paddock Show and charity auction. Sunday is all about the full race day excitement.
• Podium Viewing Tips. For a more relaxed vibe, stand to the right side of the podium (facing the stage). For high-fives and closer interaction with the podium finishers, position yourself on the far left side. Note: It will be much busier over this side. To get really close to the podium celebrations, head to the area about seven laps before the race ends. Saturday will be quieter than Sunday, so catch the podium on Saturday if you have the choice.
• Bring the Right Gear. Sturdy footwear is a must. While most paths are tarmacked, there are plenty of gravel and grass areas that can get muddy if it rains. Also, bring camping chairs or picnic blankets, as there’s a lack of grandstands.
• Prepare for the Weather. There’s little shade or shelter from rain or the intense heat (we experienced 30°C intense sun) so pack umbrellas, layers for cooler breezes, sun cream and plenty of water, especially in warmer weather.
• Items for Signing. Bring plain caps, photos or other items to get signed, along with sharpies for autographs.
• Viewing Helpers. Binoculars can be useful for catching details on the limited screens around the circuit, as well as spotting riders and bikes further down the track.
How Donington Compares to Silverstone.
Having now been to both Silverstone for MotoGP and Donington Park for World SBK, we noticed some pretty clear differences between the two.
Silverstone is a much bigger venue, with more screens around the track and easier to hear commentary, which makes it easier to follow the racing. There’s also more off-track entertainment, big name music acts, a bigger trade village, more food options and a wider range of merchandise stalls, but with that comes bigger crowds and a much more sprawling layout. You often feel far from the action on track at Silverstone and navigating between areas can take some time. Tickets at Silverstone are also more expensive, reflecting the scale of the event.
Donington Park, on the other hand, felt smaller and much easier to get around. Everything is closer together, so it was easy to watch the racing from multiple spots and navigate the entire circuit. We also loved how close you are to the track at Donington, especially spots like the Fogarty Esses. The riders also seemed more accessible here, often happy to stop for photos and autographs without needing special passes or long waits. Donington lacks the big grandstands and some of the wow factor you get at Silverstone, but that no-frills vibe made it feel welcoming.
Both events are must-dos and we’ll be at each one every year. Silverstone offers a more polished race weekend with modern facilities, grandstands and a big-event feel, complete with star names like Marc Marquez and a lively festival atmosphere. Donington Park, on the other hand, has a more laid-back, no-frills charm where you can get closer to the action and feel part of the paddock. Each has its own unique feel and that’s exactly why we loved doing both this year.
If you’re planning to visit Silverstone for MotoGP, check out our Silverstone planning posts here to help make the most out of your race weekend.
We hope you enjoyed reading about our first time at Donington Park for World SBK. We had a great time and hope these tips help you to plan your own visit. Let us know if there's anything we should know for next time or if there are any other Donington Park topics you'd like us to cover.
Tickets are now on sale for the 2026 race weekend. The earlybird offer is available until January 31st 2026.
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