Munich. The destination of the BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy 2026 has been decided: this time the off-road adventure will take place in Romania in late summer 2026. With this decision, BMW Motorrad opts for a second destination within Europe. After much sand and steppe, the event returns to the mountains. Dense forests, gravel roads, river crossings, and steep ascents and descents will characterise the upcoming International GS Trophy 2026 in Romania. In 2026, the BMW R 12 G/S will showcase its impressive on- and off-road capabilities as the GS Trophy Competition Bike while traversing the country.
Romania is renowned for its stunning natural beauty and diverse landscapes. From the majestic Carpathian Mountains to rolling hills and fertile plains, it offers a wide range of terrain for adventure seekers. For off-road enthusiasts, the Carpathian Mountains offer a challenging landscape with steep climbs, rocky paths and dense, jungle-like forests.
Romania is deeply rooted in history and culture and is home to numerous medieval castles, fortresses and churches, including the famous Bran Castle, which is often associated with the Dracula legend. The country boasts a vibrant mix of traditions and folklore. Overall, Romania offers a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural richness and adventure, making it an ideal destination for the International GS Trophy 2026 competitors.
The Int. GS Trophy 2026 Competition Bike.
A classic enduro for pure riding fun, both on and off road. Its authentic design is inspired by the legendary BMW R 80 G/S. With the new BMW R 12 G/S, BMW Motorrad is offering a classic enduro for pure off-road fun. The abbreviation borrowed from its predecessor, the R 80 G/S, also stands for “off-road (Gelände) / road (Strasse)” and signals that the new model in the BMW Motorrad R 12 family is equally at home on both terrains.” (Markus Lederer, Head of Boxer model series).
BMW Motorrad and off-road sport. This motorsport success story runs like a red thread through the company’s history. The high-torque flat-twin boxer engine in combination with the propeller shaft drive has proven its winning power and durability in countless competitions. In 2026, the BMW R 12 G/S will have the opportunity to prove itself at the International GS Trophy.
National qualifying events worldwide and another international qualifying event at the BMW Motorrad Enduro Park.
There is still some time to go before the official start of the BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy 2026, however. Meanwhile, the national and international qualifying rounds offer a foretaste of what is to come. There will be 8 national qualifying event and one international qualifying round worldwide, where skilled enduro riders can demonstrate their capabilities.
In order secure a place on one of the 15 national teams, participants are required to perform GPS navigation exercises, off-road special stages and technical tests. Nine men’s teams and six women’s teams can look forward to the adventure.
The qualifying rounds for the BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy 2026 are confirmed for the following countries and regions:• Australia
• China
• Germany
• India
• Japan
• South Korea
• Ukraine
• International qualifying for interested parties from other countries at the BMW Motorrad Enduro Park in October 2025.
Registration for the International Qualifier takes place via the BMW Motorrad Enduro Park website.
About Romania:
It is located in Eastern Europe and borders Ukraine to the north and east, Hungary and Serbia to the west, Bulgaria to the south, and Moldova and the Black Sea to the east. The country has a temperate continental climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are warm, especially in the lowlands, and winters are cold with heavy snowfall in the mountains. Spring and autumn offer mild and pleasant weather, which is ideal for off-road motorbike tours. Romanian is the official language, but many people also speak English, particularly in urban areas. With a population of around 19 million, Romania is one of the most densely populated countries in Eastern Europe. Romania is home to a rich variety of wildlife, including bears, wolves and lynx in the Carpathian Mountains. It is also home to the Danube Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most biodiverse regions in Europe, offering unique opportunities for birdwatching and wetland exploration. Romania is renowned for the hospitality of its people. The cuisine is hearty and flavourful.
Capital: BucharestPopulation: ~ 19 millionSize: 238,391 km²Currency: Romanian leu (RON)Language: Romanian (the official language); English is mainly spoken in urban areas.
About the BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy.
BMW Motorrad Corporate Communications The BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy is an event that celebrates the spirit of the legendary BMW Motorrad GS models. It encompasses everything that a BMW GS stands for: riding fun, adventure and challenges. The BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy 2026 Romania is the tenth edition of the event. The previous events took place in Namibia in 2024, in Southeast Europe (Albania) in 2022, in Oceania (New Zealand) in 2020, in Central Asia (Mongolia) in 2018, in Southeast Asia (Thailand) in 2016, in North America (Canada) in 2014, in South America (Chile, Argentina) in 2012, in South Africa (South Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique) in 2010 and in North Africa (Tunisia) in 2008. The current event will involve 15 teams from all over the world with a total of 30 riders. Unlike in previous years, key opinion leaders will complement the men’s duos as a third person and participate in the competition as part of the team. Others involved include the GS Trophy marshals, doctors, sponsors and a photo and film crew.
The BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy is not a race, but rather a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ experience in which a diverse group of off-road enthusiasts from around the world compete in a series of special stages. Not all of these tests are purely riding tests. Skills and teamwork are essential, too. Since competitors are together for a lot of the time, also spending the night in bivouacs, this is an adventure that promotes a sense of togetherness, too. People, cultures and motorcyclists from all over the world come together, and it is not uncommon for friendships to be made for life.
Based on the experience of past GS Trophy events, the most successful teams are ultimately those that demonstrate solid preparation, excellent teamwork and riding ability, while at the same time having a lot of fun and experiencing wonderful international camaraderie.
Be sure to get in on the action!
Over the next few months, BMW Motorrad will reveal more details about the competition bike, the R 12 G/S, as well as information about the participating countries and selected teams. BMW Motorrad offers a multi-channel media experience during and after the event. The spectrum ranges from live streams and up-to-date social media posts during the event and a professionally shot and edited video summary after the Int. GS Trophy 2026.
For details of event and teams, see the dedicated website gstrophy.com.
Immediately following the BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy 2026 Romania, BMW Motorrad will once again be offering “Follow the Trails” tours: these allow customers to follow in the footsteps of the competition on the original GS Trophy motorcycles.
For further press material on BMW motorcycles and BMW Motorrad rider equipment, see the BMW Group PressClub at www.press.bmwgroup.com.
In case of queries, please contact:
Tim Diehl-Thiele, Head of Communications BMW Motorrad Telephone: +49-151-601-57505, Tim.Diehl-Thiele@bmw.de
Ingo Wirth, Head of Communications MINI and BMW Motorrad Telephone: +49-151-601-25814, Ingo.Wirth@bmw.de
Internet: www.press.bmw.de
E-mail: presse@bmw.de