Goodguys 2027 Schedule: Nationals Dates and Tips
If you are a hot rod, custom or classic owner, there is a good chance you already know someone who travels to Goodguys shows. Goodguys runs a season of large events across the country, and the 2027 schedule is already published. Here is what has been announced and how to choose the right one for you.
As announced on the Goodguys website at time of writing, the 2027 schedule has 14 events. The list: 17th Spring Nationals, March 12 and 13, at WestWorld of Scottsdale, Arizona. 43rd All American Get-Together, March 20 and 21, at the Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton, California. 26th Del Mar Nationals, April 2 to 4, at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, California. 12th North Carolina Nationals, April 16 and 17, at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds, Raleigh. 2nd Legends of Hot Rodding (members only), May 14 and 15, at the Nashville Fairgrounds, Tennessee. 27th Southeastern Nationals, June 11 and 12, at the Georgia National Fairgrounds, Perry. 36th Heartland Nationals, July 2 to 4, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, Des Moines.
The rest of the season: 29th Summit Racing Nationals, July 9 to 11, at the Ohio Expo Center, Columbus. 39th Pacific Northwest Nationals, July 23 to 25, at the Washington State Fair Events Center, Puyallup. 40th West Coast Nationals, August 27 to 29, at the Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton. 29th Colorado Nationals, September 17 to 19, at The Ranch Events Complex, Loveland. 34th Lone Star Nationals, September 24 and 25, at Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth. 37th Autumn Get-Together, November 13 and 14, at the Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton. And the 30th Southwest Nationals, November 19 to 21, at WestWorld of Scottsdale. Event names include title sponsors that change from year to year, so we have left them out; check the official schedule for the full names.
What do the events include? The Goodguys site links to pages for AutoCross, swap meets and a car corral, vintage drag racing, and special parking for show-goers, among other items, but the schedule page does not describe each one. So the practical answer is: look up the individual event page for the weekend you are considering. Goodguys also has a membership programme, and some events, such as the Legends of Hot Rodding, are members only.
Who does it suit? Owners of hot rods, customs, muscle cars and trucks who enjoy a big, busy weekend with plenty to see. Spectators who want to look at hundreds of cars, shop the vendor areas and watch the on-track activity. And builders who like to compare ideas with others. The Goodguys events are spread across the country, so there is likely one within a day's drive of you, and the choice of Nationals, Get-Togethers and members-only events gives you a range of sizes.
How should you plan? Pick your event first, then work backwards. Check the event page for entry deadlines and ticket options, and the host venue for parking and lodging. State and county fairgrounds in particular tend to be busy on the same weekends as other local events, so lodging nearby can sell out. If you plan to enter a car, read the entry rules and the vehicle eligibility on the official page, because rules and classes are set by the organiser. If you only plan to watch, check what a spectator ticket covers and the hours for each day.
Tips for first-timers. Go for the whole weekend if you can; Check each day's hours and plan the days you most want to attend. Bring comfortable shoes, water and sun protection. Take photos of builds you like, and talk to owners, because most are happy to explain their work. If you are interested in swap meets, see our guide to Carlisle at /discover/blog/carlisle-car-shows-2027, and for a road-trip alternative, see /discover/blog/hot-rod-power-tour-2027.
To choose between events, think about travel and timing as much as the cars. A fairground event in your region may be easier to plan than a larger one far away, and a smaller Get-Together can be a gentler introduction than a big Nationals. If you plan to enter a car, check the entry deadlines well ahead and look at how the event handles loading in and out, because show-day traffic around fairgrounds can be slow. If you plan to spectate, plan your parking and your meal breaks, since big events often have long lines at peak times. Whichever you pick, a printed copy of your tickets and an offline map are worth having.
Running your own show? Car Show Expert handles registration, check-in and judging, so entrants register online and show day runs smoothly. Create a free account at /sign-up or try the demo at /demo. For more on the registration side, see /discover/guides/car-show-registration.
Dates and venues are as announced at time of writing and can change. Confirm with Goodguys before you book.