Rat’s Hole Displays Colossal Collection of Custom Motorcycles during the 38th Anniversary of Its Sturgis Rally Bike Show

Custom Series’ Show is Longest Running Bike Show in the World Featuring Ted Smith and Big Daddy Rat

 

Get ready to drool all over the asphalt as you take in the sea of magnificent motorcycles at the world-famous Rat’s Hole Custom Bike Show. Over 100 of the Sturgis Rally’s finest will be competing in 14 different classes, and each will be begging you to get an up-close look.

The Rat’s Hole show displays the work of the world’s best builders, whose handiwork is judged on personality, function and a progressive sense of motorcycle culture.

Who:
 You!
What: The Granddaddy of All Custom Motorcycle Shows
When: Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026 – 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Onsite Registration – 10 a.m.
Judging – 3 – 5 p.m.
Awards – 5 p.m.
Where: The Buffalo Chip Crossroads in the Horseshoe
Why: See some of the Sturgis Rally’s most unique custom motorcycles and win the coveted trophy in biking
How: Pre-Registration will get free Rat’s Hole stuff!
This bike show will take place at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip CrossRoads, which means it is absolutely free to attend!

Come be part of the largest and longest-running of all bike shows during the Sturgis Rally on Thursday, Aug. 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You’ll find the 2026 Rat’s Hole Custom Bike Show in the Horseshoe at the east end of the Big Engine Bar at the Buffalo Chip CrossRoads.

Awards

Judging concludes at 5 p.m. to award over 70 custom-made, hand-sculpted Rat Awards.

The Best of Show winner will receive the prestigious “Big Daddy Rat” trophy and will go on to compete against the winners of the other shows in the Sturgis Buffalo Chip Custom Series for the title of Custom Series King the following night. All Best in Show winners will be invited onto the Buffalo Chip’s legendary Wolfman Jack Main Stage where celebrity judges will crown the winner of this prestigious award.

Get to the Rat’s Hole Bike Show to see the bikes, or enter your bike today, and you could be the lucky winner!

Meet Ted Smith

The World Famous Rat’s Hole Custom Bike Shows were started by founder Karl “Big Daddy Rat” Smith. From his first show in Daytona in 1973, Big Daddy Rat built an empire that helped bike builders get noticed and provided a showcase for the custom motorcycle industry to show off their products. Big Daddy Rat held shows all over the USA and even expanded the Rat’s Hole to France, Germany and Canada. After 27 years of putting on the most prestigious custom bike shows in the world, Big Daddy Rat passed during Daytona Bike Week in 2002. According to Karl’s son, Teddy, that’s the way he would have wanted to go, there among his biker friends. 

So Teddy picked up where his dad left off, not only continuing the shows, but bringing them to the masses via television. The Rat’s Hole Bike Shows have been featured on TV specials like The World Biker Build Off, American Chopper, Discovery, Travel, NGC, Speed and many others. Teddy Smith grew the number of shows all over the country and started hand-sculpting the now world-famous Big Daddy Rat Trophies. Teddy makes about 60 trophies for each show, a labor of love. Said Teddy, “These awards are so coveted that builders literally cry when they receive their award. I think that’s what keeps me going. It’s in my blood like it was for my dad.”

Teddy recently added the Swiss Moto show in Switzerland to the company’s overseas shows. The Rat’s Hole is still growing and as they mark their 53-year anniversary in 2025, and Teddy sees no end in sight. “We think Sturgis at the Buffalo Chip is our best show of the year and we hope to see you there.”

Visit Ratshole.com for more info.

“The sound and sight of all the bikes makes me feel like I’m among good people.” – Kim Loiselle

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