CORE Open 2026 Is Back, and It's Going to Be Massive

If you're into pro scootering at all, then you already know that the CORE Open is one of the biggest stunt scooter events on the calendar. Well, good news, it's back for its fifth year and it's shaping up to be the best one yet. Here's everything you need to know, plus some gear to get you inspired ahead of the big day.

What Is the CORE Open?

The CORE Open is quite simply the UK's biggest stunt scooter competition, and it's not just big by British standards. This is one of the most significant scooter contests in the whole of Europe. Organised by CORE Action Sports, the event brings together the world's best pro scooter athletes to throw down some of the most jaw-dropping tricks you'll ever see in person.

This year marks the fifth edition of the event, which is a pretty big milestone for what has become a genuinely landmark occasion in the scootering world. If you haven't been before, this really is the year to go.

The Details: Where and When

The CORE Open 2026 is going down on Saturday 23rd May at Junction4 Skatepark in Darwen, Blackburn. Junction4 is an incredible venue for an event like this, and with a full restaurant and bar on site, it's a great day out whether you're there to compete or just to soak up the atmosphere as a spectator.

The prize pot this year is a whopping £7,500, which tells you everything about the level of rider you can expect to see turning up and giving it their absolute all. When there's that kind of cash on the line, you know the riding is going to be next level.

One thing worth noting is that this year's event is not sanctioned by ScootGB, so it carries no ranking points towards the UK Champs or World Titles. This actually makes for a really fun atmosphere, as it's more about putting on an incredible show and competing for that prize purse rather than the pressure of ranking points.

Tickets and Registration

This is really important: registration is not possible on the day, so you need to pre-register by purchasing your ticket in advance. The organisers are pretty firm on this, with registration closing 48 hours before the event. General admission and spectating tickets are available on the day, but if you want to compete, sort your ticket out now.

Tickets are non-refundable, in line with most live sporting events. However, in the unlikely event of injury, your ticket will be transferred to the following year's event, which is a nice touch.

You can grab your tickets over at Eventbrite, and it's well worth buying in advance to skip any queues on the day.

Getting There

If you're travelling from further afield, Manchester Airport is just a 43-minute drive away, and Liverpool John Lennon Airport is about 53 minutes. For accommodation, the Premier Inn Blackburn South (M65, J4) is only a 3-minute drive from the skatepark, and there's also a Travelodge Blackburn M65 just 4 minutes away. There's plenty of car parking on site too, so driving is absolutely no problem.

There's also going to be an exclusive CORE Pop Up Shop at the event, so make sure you set some time aside to check out whatever deals they've got on the day.

Check Out The Highlights From Last Year

Get Inspired: Shop CORE Stunt Scooters

Watching the pros tear it up at Junction4 is going to get your hands itching to ride, and there's no better way to channel that energy than on a proper CORE scooter. CORE is a British brand, designed and engineered right here in England, and they make some of the best stunt scooters on the market at every price point. Here are three brilliant options available right now at SkateHut.

CORE CD1 Complete Stunt Scooter, Neo/Black, £109.95

If you're just getting into scootering or looking to grab a solid first proper scooter, the CD1 is an absolutely brilliant place to start. It's designed with beginner riders in mind, broadly from ages 6 and up, and it punches well above its price point in terms of spec.

The CD1 runs on 110mm spoked aluminium CORE wheels with ABEC-9 bearings, giving you a smooth and stable ride whether you're cruising to the skatepark or trying to nail your first tricks. The deck is 4.5 inches wide by 19.5 inches long, made from lightweight extruded aluminium with a boxed-end design and integrated dropouts, which makes it ideal for learning grinds. The nylon flex fender brake helps keep your wheels in good shape for longer too.

One of the smartest things about the CD1 is its two-piece bar design. It's an innovative feature that allows CORE to reduce the carbon footprint of shipping by fitting more units per container, making the CD1 133% better for the environment than a traditional scooter setup. It's a little bit of clever thinking that doesn't compromise performance at all.

The Neo/Black colourway looks fantastic, and with the scooter currently sitting at £109.95 (down from £119.95), it's genuinely one of the best value complete stunt scooters on the market right now.

CORE CL1 Complete Stunt Scooter, Black, £184.95

Step things up a level and you've got the CL1, which is the ideal choice for anyone ready to move on from their first scooter and invest in something that's going to handle real progression. It's been tested by the CORE professional team, so you know it's built to take whatever you can throw at it.

The CL1 is incredibly light at just 3.45kg, thanks in part to the weight-reducing cutouts in both the deck and the clamp. The deck itself measures 5 inches wide by 19 inches long, giving it a great balance between manoeuvrability and stability, making it suitable for younger riders right through to young adults. The hollow-core CORE aftermarket wheels keep rolling smooth, paired with ABEC-9 premium bearings and a fully integrated stack headset.

What's particularly cool about the CL1 is its interchangeable nylon square dropouts, which let you switch between different riding styles. That kind of adaptability is usually reserved for much more expensive setups, so it's a real bonus at this price point. The new slim 170mm grips are also a nice touch, offering a comfortable and secure hold that stays grippy over time.

At £184.95, the CL1 in black is a seriously strong buy for anyone who wants to progress their riding without breaking the bank.