A German tour operator has warned Classic TT organisers to consider the consequences of last-minute schedule changes after this year’s alterations made him re-think plans to develop a package holiday around the event.
Wolfgang Steber, who runs a tour business in Germany, had travelled to the Isle of Man for what was intended to be a week-long Classic TT trip between August 23 and 30.
He said he had been considering offering a dedicated Classic TT package for German visitors but questioned whether that would be possible while there remained uncertainty over how much racing would actually take place.
Mr Steber had expected to travel with 10 passengers and had already spent around €2,500 on flights, accommodation and other arrangements which could no longer be cancelled without incurring costs. Several elected not to come when the racing was moved forward.
The 2026 Classic TT programme was substantially revised because of concerns over the weather, with the organisers bringing races forward into a reduced schedule after forecasting suggested deteriorating conditions later in the original event period.
While the changes were made with safety and the aim of completing the racing programme in mind, Mr Steber said they had left him spending much of his planned visit simply exploring the island rather than attending the event.
‘Classic TT - it is a shame that the event was shortened to two days,’ he said.
‘I booked a week-long trip for the Classic TT (August 23–30), including flights and a hotel. Shortly before the trip, I learned that the event schedule had been cut from five days of racing to just two.’
Mr Steber said the experience had left him uncertain about developing a future package.
‘Yes, because the uncertainty remains,’ he said when asked whether the schedule change had affected his plans.
He said he had checked the schedule again before travelling and had hoped there might be ‘some last-minute changes’, but ultimately spent the period from Wednesday to Saturday visiting other attractions around the island.
He also said several guests staying at his hotel had expressed disappointment with the reduced programme.
‘I urge the Classic TT organisers to consider these points; many guests were disappointed by the restructure of the schedule, especially given that weather conditions were actually ideal from Wednesday through Friday.’
Mr Steber stressed that he understood the event was free to attend and said his intention was simply to highlight the consequences such decisions could have for visitors and businesses.
The 2026 Classic TT organisers said at the time that the revised programme had been introduced following detailed consideration of the latest weather forecasts, with every session remaining subject to weather, course conditions and established safety requirements.
The weather didn’t appear to be great for racing for the rest of the week, with many riders and fans praising organisers online for packing in the full race schedule before the rain came in.