Manx Grand Prix Visitor Numbers Remain Below Pre-Pandemic Levels

The island’s enterprise minister has disclosed that the number of visitors attending the Manx Grand Prix has not yet returned to its pre-pandemic figures. In 2024, the event attracted 14,229 visitors, which is notably less than the 16,019 individuals who attended the Festival of Motorcycling in 2019, an event that at the time incorporated the Classic TT. The government declared in October its intention to re-introduce “that brand” next year, aiming to draw a larger audience of motorsport enthusiasts to the island. Last week, it was disclosed that this initiative, which will prolong the event from nine to 13 days, will incur an extra cost of £150,000 for two departments. The Classic TT was established in 2013 to take place concurrently with the Manx Grand Prix (MGP), both operating under the umbrella designation of the Festival of Motorcycling. However, following a review conducted after the coronavirus pandemic, the government eliminated the TT component of the event. From 2016 to 2019, the number of visitors varied between 15,627 and 16,218, before decreasing to 14,130 in 2023. Enterprise Minister Tim Johnston stated that, subsequent to receiving “significant feedback” regarding the shortened MGP event programme, the government made the decision to return to the “long-established fortnight period.” This festival, which has been held annually since 1923, represents the island’s second principal yearly motorsport gathering. The TT festival this year recorded 67,000 passengers arriving on the island during its duration, though the proportion of these travelers who are island residents remains unspecified. Ronaldsway Airport registered 30,000 passengers; concurrently, the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company transported 37,000, marking an 11% rise compared to 2023.