Soapbox thrills coming to Burnley Town Centre on Saturday, 12th June 2027!
Get ready, Burnley!
The Burnley Soapbox Challenge is coming to Burnley Town Centre for the very first time on Saturday 12th June 2027, promising an unforgettable day packed with thrills, excitement, and family entertainment. Competitors from across the region will take to the streets in their homemade soapbox creations, racing down Manchester Road in a spectacular showcase of speed, skill, creativity, and courage.
The action begins early, with the team pits opening from 9:00am, giving visitors the opportunity to get up close to the incredible soapbox carts, meet the drivers and teams, and admire the creativity and engineering that has gone into each unique design. The morning race session will then get underway, providing plenty of high-speed action as competitors battle it out on the challenging course.
With Burnley Town Hall providing a stunning backdrop, Manchester Road will be transformed into a vibrant racecourse as teams navigate twists, turns, obstacles, and challenges in their quest for glory. From imaginative vehicle designs to daring drivers, spectators can expect plenty of laughter, surprises, and edge-of-your-seat moments throughout the day.
Following the morning racing, there will be a lunch break, offering visitors the perfect opportunity to explore Burnley’s fabulous town centre. Discover the town’s fantastic range of independent shops, national retailers, cafés, bars, and restaurants before returning for the afternoon race session, where the competition will intensify as teams chase victory and a place on the podium.
The event is set to be one of Burnley’s biggest community celebrations, bringing together residents, visitors, businesses, and local organisations for a fantastic day out. Alongside the racing, visitors can enjoy a wide range of food and drink vendors, live entertainment, family activities, music, and interactive attractions, creating a festival atmosphere in the heart of the town.
So mark your calendars for 12th June 2027 and join us in Burnley Town Centre for the inaugural Burnley Soapbox Challenge. Bring your friends, family, and community spirit for a day filled with adrenaline-fuelled racing, fantastic entertainment, great food and drink, and memories that will last long after the finish line has been crossed. Join us for what promises to become one of Burnley’s most exciting annual events.
Raising money for:
RULES AND REGULATIONS
- Every team must have insurance to cover injuries and damages, with evidence.
- Driver must be aged 8 minimum to take part in the Individuals, Family and Friends or Under 12’s category or the Charities and Community Groups category.
- Drivers must be over the age of 14 to take part in the Business category.
- Anyone under the age of 16 must have parental permission.
- Soapboxes can be entered into more than one competition race.
- Up to 8 persons per team, with one driver per race entered.
- Soapboxes will be inspected for loose ends or sharp edges prior to racing.
- Scrutineer’s decision is final.
- Teams are responsible for ongoing risk assessments before and during the event, if at any point their Soapbox vehicle becomes unsafe for use, they must withdraw from the competition.
- All drivers must wear a helmet.
- Drivers must be covered – long-sleeved tops and long trousers are compulsory.
- Drivers must remain seated at all times; failure to do so will result in disqualification.
- The organisers have the right to refuse entry or withdraw entry of any kart or driver if, in their opinion, they pose a threat of injury either to themselves or others.
- Trophies will be given to the overall winners.
- Novelty prizes will be given for Best Designed Soapbox and Best Team Costume.
- The competition entry number must be displayed on the soapbox vehicle
For Soapbox Race specific personal liability insurance with a notable company from just £9.70, please call 01494 484800 or visit:
YOUR SOAPBOX:
- must not have any loose parts or sharp edges
- must be less than 1.5m wide, 1.5m tall and less than 2.5m in length
- must have a maximum weight limit of 100kg or less for the cart alone
- must have a clearance of minimum 10cm below the seat
- must have a functional steering part
- must have a braking mechanism
- may have seatbelts: not mandatory but recommended
- should be built of a good, sturdy, construction standard
- must have no glass material due to the risk of shattering
- wood, plastic or/and steel chassis is permitted
- must not have any weights added inside or outside of the vehicle
- try to keep it lightweight
- gravity propulsion only
- All soapboxes to have 3 or 4 load bearing wheels
- Bodywork and controls must not impede the driver in exiting the cart
Enter your Cart!
Become a Sponsor
The Burnley Soapbox Challenge offers businesses and organisations a unique opportunity to align their brand with one of Burnley’s most exciting new events. With thousands of spectators expected to line Manchester Road and engage with the event throughout the day, sponsors will benefit from extensive visibility, community engagement, and positive brand exposure.
Whether you are a local business looking to support a major community event or a larger organisation seeking prominent brand recognition, we have a range of sponsorship opportunities available to suit all budgets.
Talk to Zahida on WhatsApp about our Sponsorhip Opportunities:
GOLD SPONSORS
Package Price: £10,000
Our premier sponsorship package provides maximum exposure before, during, and after the event.
Gold Sponsors will receive headline branding across event marketing, prominent on-site presence, digital promotion, and recognition as a key partner of the Burnley Soapbox Challenge.
🥈 Silver SPONSORS
Package Price: £5,000
A high-profile sponsorship package offering excellent brand visibility across event promotional materials, event-day signage, social media activity, and event communications.
🥉 BRONZE SPONSORS
Package Price: £2,500
An affordable way to support the event whilst gaining valuable exposure to spectators, participants, and the wider Burnley community.
BANNER SPONSORS
Package Price: £200
Position your branding directly alongside the racecourse where thousands of spectators will see your business throughout the day.
Includes:
- Roadside banner position along the race route
- Brand visibility throughout the event
- Inclusion on the event website sponsor page
🏎️ MAIN PIT SPONSORS
Package Price: £2,500
Become the exclusive sponsor of the team’s pit and preparation area, one of the busiest locations at the event where competitors, crew members, media, and spectators gather throughout the day.
Includes:
- Naming rights to the Pit Area
- Prominent branding within the pit zone
- Recognition across event communications
- Social media acknowledgement
🏁 Flag SPONSORS
Package Price: £1,500
Sponsor the official race flags used throughout the event and enjoy visibility at key race moments, including starts, finishes, and course operations.
Includes:
- Branding on official event flags
- Sponsor recognition in event programme
- Social media mentions
🚦 START LINE SPONSORS
Package Price: £2,500
Put your brand at the heart of the action by becoming the exclusive sponsor of the Burnley Soapbox Challenge start line. Every Competitor’s race begins here, giving your business outstanding visibility throughout the event.
Includes:
- Exclusive naming rights to the Start Line
- Prominent branding around the start area
- Sponsor recognition in race announcements
- Inclusion across event communications
- Website and social media acknowledgement
🏁 FINiSH LINE SPONSORS
Package Price: £2,500
Capture the excitement as competitors cross the line by becoming the exclusive sponsor of the Burnley Soapbox Challenge finish line.
Your branding will feature at one of the course’s most exciting and highly photographed locations.
Includes:
- Exclusive naming rights to the Finish Line
- Prominent branding around the finish area
- Sponsor recognition during race announcements
- Visibility in event photography and media coverage
- Website and social media acknowledgement
🏆 PODIUM SPONSORS
Package Price: £1,500
Associate your business with the excitement of victory by sponsoring the winners’ podium and prize-giving ceremony.
Includes:
- Branding around the podium area
- Presentation opportunities during prize giving
- Photographic exposure in event media coverage
- Recognition throughout awards announcements
🛍️ GIVEAWAY SPONSORS
Package Price: £2,500
Put your brand directly into the hands of event visitors by sponsoring event giveaways, promotional merchandise, or participant packs.
Includes:
- Branding on giveaway items
- Sponsor recognition across promotional materials
- Opportunity to provide branded merchandise
Become a Stallholder
The Burnley Soapbox Challenge is set to bring thousands of visitors into Burnley Town Centre on Saturday 12th June 2027, creating a fantastic opportunity for food, drink, retail, and community traders to showcase their products to a large and engaged audience.
We are now inviting applications from stallholders who would like to be part of this exciting inaugural event. With racing action taking place throughout the day on Manchester Road, alongside live entertainment and family activities, traders will benefit from a vibrant atmosphere and significant footfall.
All food and drink vendors must hold a current 5-Star Food Hygiene Rating and comply with all relevant food safety regulations. Successful applicants will be required to provide copies of their food hygiene certification, public liability insurance, and any other relevant documentation before the event.
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