Indian Riders Fest (IRF) has grown into the largest and most internationally recognised Indian Motorcycle gathering in Europe, and one of the most important rider-led events in the global Indian community.
Full programme of events now available here: https://www.indianridersfest.eu/program/
What makes IRF special is not just its scale, but its origins — an event created by riders, for riders, driven by passion rather than corporate ambition.
See the plan of the event here:
https://www.indianridersfest.eu/irf26-plan/
The Man Behind IRF
The first Indian Riders Fest was held in 2019, founded by Jean-Marie, a French-born rider now based in the Czech Republic. Jean-Marie was one of the founders of the earliest Indian Motorcycle Riders Groups (IMRGs) in Europe and became actively involved in the growing European Indian rider movement.
Following an IMRG gathering in France in 2018, Jean-Marie and fellow riders recognised the potential for something much bigger — an event that could unite Indian riders from across Europe and beyond in one central location. From that idea, IRF was born.
The creation of IRF was far from easy. It required months of planning, the formation of a dedicated organising committee, and countless long weekends and late nights. In its early years, the event was very much rider-driven, with official manufacturer involvement developing gradually as the event proved its credibility, scale and professionalism.
Jean-Marie himself has ridden motorcycles throughout his adult life and purchased his first Indian Motorcycle around nine years ago. Like many riders, he was drawn in by the brand’s distinctive design, heritage and modern engineering. Over the years, he has owned several Indian models, deepening his connection to the brand and its community.
The First IRF – 2019
The inaugural Indian Riders Fest 2019 was held in June 2019 in České Budějovice (Budweis), in the scenic South Bohemian region of the Czech Republic. The location offered rolling hills, lakes and some of the country’s most enjoyable riding roads.
Despite being a first-year event, IRF 2019 exceeded all expectations:
- 550+ motorcycles
- Riders from 17 countries
- Live entertainment, stunt shows and guided rides
- Trade stalls, food stands and live music, including ZZ Top and AC/DC tribute bands
- A 25 km Parade Ride, finishing in Budweis’ historic town square
One of the defining moments of the event was the display of Indian Riders Group flags in the town square — a powerful visual symbol of unity, diversity and international brotherhood that would become a hallmark of IRF in the years that followed.
Growth Into a European Institution
Following its success, IRF became closely associated with Budweis and steadily grew year after year. The event provided a unique platform not only for riders, but also for Indian Motorcycle and industry partners to engage directly with the community, share future plans, and receive real rider feedback.
By 2024, IRF had firmly established itself as a truly international event:
- Around 2,900 motorcycles in attendance
- Approximately 1,900 Indian Motorcycles
- Riders from 39 countries
- A parade ride featuring around 1,700 bikes
- A growing custom show featuring over 30 Indian motorcycles across multiple classes
At this point, IRF was no longer just a European rally — it had become a global destination event for Indian riders
The Move to Lipno
With success came new challenges. The continued growth of IRF meant the original Budweis venue could no longer comfortably accommodate the numbers expected in future years.
A strategic decision was therefore made to relocate the event to Lipno nad Vltavou, a region offering:
- Significantly increased capacity
- Over 7,500 beds across camping, apartments and 4-star hotels
- Excellent infrastructure within walking distance of the festival site
- Some of the best riding roads in the Czech Republic, set within national forest landscapes
The move ensured IRF could continue to grow without losing the atmosphere and accessibility that riders value.
IRF 2026 – What’s Ahead
Indian Riders Fest 2026 will take place at Lipno nad Vltavou from:
18 June 2026 – 21 June 2026
Building on the success of recent years, IRF continues to offer:
- One of Europe’s largest Indian Motorcycle custom shows
- Demo rides and product showcases
- Trade and exhibitors’ village
- Guided local rides through the Bohemian countryside
- A large-scale parade ride through scenic routes
- Live music, DJs, street performers and evening entertainment
- A truly international rider atmosphere
Today, IRF is widely regarded as a bucket-list event for Indian Motorcycle owners and enthusiasts, while remaining open and welcoming to motorcycle lovers from around the world.
From a single rider’s vision to a global celebration of motorcycling, Indian Riders Fest stands as a testament to what the rider community can build together.
