The collector car world will once again turn its attention to the Arizona desert this week! The 2026 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction opens tomorrow, Jan. 17 at WestWorld of Scottsdale.
The nine-day event, which runs through Jan. 25, is the largest and most prominent auction on Barrett-Jackson’s annual calendar and traditionally serves as the unofficial kickoff to the collector car season. Thousands of collectors, bidders, and automotive enthusiasts from around the world are expected to attend, filling the sprawling WestWorld complex with rare vehicles, custom builds, memorabilia, and a packed schedule of entertainment.
Barrett-Jackson officials say this year’s docket will feature a wide mix of professionally built customs, resto-mods, modern supercars, and highly sought-after classics. Early highlights include a low-mileage 2017 Ford GT, a rare Brabus Rocket R, a 2005 Ford GTX1 signed by several automotive legends, and multiple vintage Corvettes and muscle cars, including a restored 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429.
A centerpiece of the Scottsdale auction is the Barrett-Jackson Cup, a judged competition showcasing elite custom vehicles. The competition culminates Jan. 24 with the selection of an overall winner by a panel of respected builders and designers, along with a People’s Choice award determined by public voting.
While Scottsdale is best known for its auction action, the event has evolved into a broader automotive lifestyle experience. Gates typically open at 8 a.m. local time each day, with bidding continuing into the afternoon and early evening. In addition to the auction lanes, attendees can explore exhibitor displays, interactive attractions, driving experiences and a large vendor marketplace.
Festivities officially begin Friday Jan. 16 with the “Rock the Block” concert featuring Cole Swindell and Chase Rice.
If you can't attend in person, you can catch all the action via extensive television and streaming coverage. The Scottsdale Auction will air on FYI and the HISTORY Channel, continuing the company’s long-running broadcast partnership with A+E Networks. Coverage is expected to span multiple days, with live and same-day segments focused on peak bidding periods. A finalized television schedule had not been released as of publication, but past Scottsdale auctions have typically aired in afternoon and early evening blocks, generally beginning around 1 p.m. Mountain Time and extending into early prime-time hours on key days. So check local listings on FYI and HISTORY for exact air times.
In addition to cable coverage, the auction will be streamed live daily through Barrett-Jackson’s online platform, offering continuous access to auction lanes from morning through the sale of headline vehicles later in the day. The livestream provides full coverage of all lots, including vehicles not shown on television.
Ticket options range from single-day general admission to multi-day passes and VIP hospitality packages, which include premium seating, food and beverage service, and exclusive viewing areas near the auction block. Children 12 and under are admitted free with a paying adult.
Charity also remains a key component of the event. Barrett-Jackson’s tradition of offering VIN 001 and other special vehicles for charity has raised millions of dollars for nonprofit organizations over the past two decades. Charity vehicles include a 2026 Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC:
First held in 1971, the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction has grown from a local collector car sale into one of the most widely watched automotive events in the world. Today, it blends high-stakes bidding with entertainment, television production and a festival-like atmosphere that has become a January tradition for car enthusiasts nationwide.
As engines fire and paddles rise once again in Scottsdale, the familiar mix of rare metal, big money and enthusiastic crowds is set to return, both on the ground in Arizona and on television screens across the country.
TV Schedule
Click here for the daily TV and Event Schedule →
Note: Television coverage airs on FYI and HISTORY. Exact broadcast windows vary by day; viewers should confirm times with local listings. The Barrett-Jackson livestream provides continuous daily coverage.
Photo: Barrett-Jackson.
