- Triumph Originals returns for 2026 with a “Time Capsule” theme centred around the Scrambler.
- Seven countries and custom workshops will create unique one-off builds inspired by different eras of Scrambler history.
- The winner will be decided by a combination of expert judging and public voting.
Triumph has revived its global custom motorcycle competition for 2026, with seven countries challenged to build a one-off Scrambler inspired by a defining era in the model’s history.
Triumph Motorcycles has announced the return of its global custom motorcycle competition, with Triumph Originals 2026 challenging custom builders from around the world to create one-off Scramblers inspired by the model’s rich heritage.
The latest edition of the competition carries the theme “Time Capsule”, with participating teams tasked with selecting a defining era from the Scrambler’s history and reinterpreting it through modern design, engineering and craftsmanship.
Seven countries will take part in this year’s challenge, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Spain, France, Italy, China and Canada. Each Triumph distributor has partnered with a hand-picked custom workshop to design and build a completely unique machine, with the finished motorcycles set to be revealed later this year.
The competition follows the success of previous Triumph Originals contests, which have produced some of the most creative custom Triumph motorcycles seen in recent years.
Building On A Successful Formula
Triumph Originals was first launched as a way of celebrating the brand’s long-standing relationship with motorcycle customisation.
Unlike many manufacturers that showcase factory-built concept bikes, Triumph’s approach has been to work directly with leading custom builders around the world, giving them creative freedom while maintaining a connection to Triumph’s heritage.
The most recent Triumph Originals competition in 2024 attracted entries from eight countries and generated significant interest online, with thousands of public votes helping determine the overall winner. The contest highlighted the growing global custom scene and reinforced the appeal of Triumph’s Modern Classic range as a platform for bespoke builds.
For 2026, the focus shifts specifically to the Scrambler family.
Why The Scrambler?
According to Triumph, the Scrambler is arguably the perfect motorcycle for a custom-building competition because the model itself was born from rider modification.
Long before manufacturers offered dedicated adventure and dual-purpose motorcycles, riders in the 1950s and 1960s were converting standard road bikes for off-road use by fitting knobbly tyres, wider handlebars and high-mounted exhaust systems. Those modified machines became known as “desert sleds” and would eventually evolve into the Scrambler genre we know today.
The Triumph Scrambler’s history is closely linked with iconic riders such as Steve McQueen and Bud Ekins, both of whom raced and explored on modified Triumph twins. McQueen famously competed in the International Six Days Trial, while Ekins tackled events including the Baja 1000 and Big Bear Run.
Triumph reintroduced the Scrambler name in 2006 and has steadily expanded the range to become one of the most important pillars of its Modern Classic line-up. Today the family spans everything from the learner-friendly Scrambler 400 X and 400 XC through to the Scrambler 900 and the highly capable Scrambler 1200 X and XE models.
Public Vote To Help Decide Winner
Once all seven custom motorcycles have been completed, they will be assessed by a panel of design and cultural experts before being opened to public voting. The final result will be determined using a combination of expert judging and public opinion.
Triumph Chief Commercial Officer Paul Stroud says the competition offers an opportunity to celebrate both the Scrambler’s history and the creativity of the custom-building community.
“The Scrambler carries a remarkable legacy, influencing both culture and the competitive racing scene,” said Stroud.
“From the stripped-back desert sleds of the 1950s to the big-screen stunts of the 2020s, it’s been ridden by icons from Steve McQueen to James Bond.
“This motorcycle started out as a model made by riders, built through personal tweaks and ingenuity, and that same spirit of customisation still sits right at its heart today.”
Triumph says a dedicated online hub will follow the progress of all seven builds through behind-the-scenes updates, builder interviews and project photography before the winner is announced later this year.
With Triumph now reporting global annual sales of more than 141,000 motorcycles and its Modern Classic range continuing to grow, the 2026 Triumph Originals competition looks set to showcase not only the creativity of the custom scene, but also the enduring appeal of one of motorcycling’s most adaptable platforms.
