Mama Tried Motorcycle Show 2026 - Milwaukee's Premier Winter Rally
Jan 23, 2026
Mama Tried Motorcycle Show 2026 returns to Milwaukee February 21-22 for its 12th year, and it remains the largest winter motorcycle rally in the country. Presented by Harley-Davidson, this indoor motorcycle show brings over 100 custom builds to the Eagles Ballroom at The Rave, along with vendors, food, tattoo artists, and a weekend full of events across the city. If you're looking for something to break up the winter months, this is it.
When Is Mama Tried Motorcycle Show 2026?
Mama Tried Motorcycle Show 2026 runs Saturday, February 21 and Sunday, February 22, 2026 at Eagles Ballroom in Milwaukee. Doors open at 10am both days. The full Mama Tried weekend actually starts Friday night with Flat Out Friday 2026, the indoor flat track race at Fiserv Forum, so most people make it a three-day trip.
What’s Flat Out Friday?
Flat Out Friday is an indoor flat track race held the night before Mama Tried at Fiserv Forum in downtown Milwaukee. The 2026 event marks its 10th anniversary. Created by Jeremy Prach, the race puts riders on a concrete track coated with Dr. Pepper syrup for traction while 10,000+ fans watch from the stands.
Race Classes
Racers range from 6 to 79 years old and compete across 12 classes:
- Open Hooligan (street-legal bikes modified for racing)
- Women's Hooligan
- Pro
- Vintage
- Brakeless
- Electric
- Goofball (pretty much anything with wheels is allowed)
- Boonie (mini-bikes)
- 50cc
- 65cc-85cc
- Open Amateur
- Open Women's
Flat Out Friday 2026 takes place Friday, February 20 at 7pm at Fiserv Forum, 1111 N. Vel R. Phillips Ave in Milwaukee. Tickets start around $36 (click HERE to purchase tickets).
Where Is Mama Tried Motorcycle Show Held?
Mama Tried Motorcycle Show is held at Eagles Ballroom inside The Rave at 2401 W. Wisconsin Ave in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The venue has hosted the show for years and fits the event well. It's a historic building with the right kind of character for a curated bike show, and the layout works for both the motorcycle displays and the vendor booths spread throughout.
View directions to the 2026 Mama Tried Motorcycle Show.
Mama Tried 2026 Tickets and Pricing
General admission tickets for Mama Tried 2026 start at $25 and are available through the official Mama Tried website or at The Rave box office. VIP tickets get you skip-the-line access plus entry to the VIP Lounge where you can meet the builders, with complimentary drinks and snacks included.
The show is all ages, and Harley-Davidson sponsors free admission for active military and veterans (just grab your ticket at the box office with valid ID). Kids 5 and under get in free, and kids 6-12 are half price at the box office.
What Makes This Show Different?
Mama Tried isn't an open bike show where anyone can pay a fee and display their ride. It's an invitational, which means the organizers hand-pick every motorcycle that makes it onto the floor. The result is a tighter lineup of around 100 builds that actually deserve the attention.
Types of Builds on Display
You'll find a wide range of styles from builders across the country and internationally:
- Flat-trackers
- Hill climbers
- Choppers
- Bar hoppers
- Baggers
- Dragsters
The show was started by Scott Johnson, a local restaurant owner, and Warren Heir from JR's Custom Fabrication. Both have been in the Midwest riding and racing scene for a long time, and they built this event to reflect what they actually wanted to see at a winter show.
More Events Happening at Mama Tried 2026
Mama Tried has turned into a full weekend of events around Milwaukee. If you're traveling in for the indoor motorcycle show in February 2026, plan to arrive Thursday or Friday to catch everything. The Eagles Ballroom motorcycle show floor features the 100+ invited builds, but there's more going on around them:
- Vendors selling parts, apparel, and gear
- Tattoo artists doing walk-ins
- Tintype photographers for old-school portraits
- Food vendors on-site both days
- Outdoor mini-bike races on Saturday
- Harley-Davidson Museum hosts an official pre-party Thursday night with Boonie Bike races and builder meet-ups
- Iron Horse Hotel runs events all weekend with DJs, bikes on display, and themed dinners
- Bars and restaurants across the city throw their own Mama Tried parties, from polka nights to live bands
There's also a bike giveaway running throughout the weekend with a 1950 Harley-Davidson Panhead up for grabs. Raffle tickets are $20 each.
2026 Mama Tried Motorcycle Show Event Details
- Dates: Saturday, February 21 and Sunday, February 22, 2026
- Hours: Doors at 10am
- Location: Eagles Ballroom at The Rave
- Address: 2401 W. Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53233
- Tickets: Starting at $25
- Presented by: Harley-Davidson
Flat Out Friday 2026
- Date: Friday, February 20, 2026
- Time: 7pm
- Location: Fiserv Forum
- Address: 1111 N. Vel R. Phillips Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53203
- Tickets: Starting around $36
Ride a Harley-Davidson Rental to Mama Tried in Milwaukee!
Flying into Milwaukee or want to ride something different for the weekend? We have Harley-Davidson rentals and other motorcycles available from local owners in the area. Riders Share connects you with bike owners across Wisconsin, so you can find anything from a Sportster to a Road Glide depending on what you're looking for. Browse Milwaukee motorcycle rentals, pick up your bike, hit the events, and actually ride to the largest winter motorcycle rally in the country instead of just walking through it.
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