[category]
[title]
Riders from across the world descend on Johannesburg this weekend for the highly anticipated 2026 edition of King of the Whip. Launched at Biker's Warehouse in Northriding in 2017, the motocross tournament’s first international participants joined when organisers LW Mag and Monster Energy moved the event to its massive new home at Montecasino in 2022.
View this post on Instagram
What emerged strictly as a domestic showcase has now evolved into one of the world’s most coveted events on the Freestyle Motocross calendar. Since moving to Montecasino, the event has attracted some of the A-list international freestylers from the USA, Spain, Japan, France, Australia and other countries.
Among these world-renowned stars is three-time gold medallist Julien Vanstippen from Belgium, who dominated in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
American rider Wyatt Fontenot defeated the three-time champion in 2025, and his winning streak extended to a gold medal at the Moto X Best Whip at X Games and a bronze at the Moto X Best Whip at X Games in his home country this year.
Both riders are expected back at this weekend’s event, with Australia’s Pat Bowden, who dominated the Best Trick categories, also reportedly making a return.
On Saturday, 7 November, the Montecasino Outdoor Event area transforms into a freestyle motocross playground featuring heavy-duty mechanical steel launch ramps, custom-shaped dirt landing mounds and other modifications.
These are tailored for the event to ensure the safety of freestyle riders typically landing back on the ground from extreme heights. The riders will be judged on Upright (Right-Side-Up) and Inverted (Upside-Down) tricks, with runs also personalised into their own combinations and signature variations of tricks.
The highly energised action sports festival promises a celebratory, safe and highly entertaining atmosphere with food trucks, bars and DJ sets. Own food, drinks, cooler boxes, umbrellas or camp chairs are not permissible inside the venue.
Fancy winning a trip to Zanzibar, some cash or other cool prizes? Take The Great Big SA Lifestyle Survey and you could be a winner!
Follow Time Out Johannesburg on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram! While you're at it, sign up for our newsletter to receive even more of the best of your city.
TIME OUT JOHANNESBURG RECOMMENDS:
📍 The best things to do in Johannesburg
🏨 The best hotels in Johannesburg
🍽 The best restaurants in Johannesburg
🛏️ Where to stay in Johannesburg
📢 Latest news from Johannesburg