The PKY Truck Beauty Championship is proud to announce its return to the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) on March 26-28, 2026, at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, KY. 

To kick off the custom show-truck season, the PKY Championship invites fleets, owner operators, custom builders, and enthusiasts from across North America to compete, observe, and celebrate the comradery and innovation of heavy-duty trucks. 

This year’s PKY Championship promises even more excitement, as the Big Rig Build-Off returns for 2026, along with the PKY Light Show, PKY Parade, and the PKY Awards Ceremony. Follow MATS on Facebook and Instagram for updates about the builders and more.

• PKY Light Show – March 26, Dark- 9:30pm, Lot N: A dazzling nighttime display where show trucks illuminate the show grounds, highlighting custom lighting, designs, and unique features in a spectacular visual presentation.
• PKY Parade Presented by Big Rig Videos –  March 28, 7:15- 8:15pm, Parking Lot Outside Circle of Champions: A celebratory procession of competing and featured trucks around the show grounds, giving attendees a chance to see each rig up close and appreciate the artistry and detail of every entry.
• PKY Awards Ceremony – March 28, 10:00am: The culminating event recognizing winners across multiple categories, including Best of Show and People’s Choice, honoring the skill, creativity, and dedication of the builders.
• Big Rig Build-Off: A head-to-head competition where elite custom truck builders showcase their craftsmanship, creativity, and innovation, vying for top honors in one of the trucking industry’s most prestigious contests.

Registration for competitors opens November 1, 2025, and admission to the event will be free to all badged MATS attendees. The competition takes place in Lot N (in front of the West & South Wings). 

“The PKY Truck Beauty Championship is more than a competition—it’s an industry spectacle that brings together builders, owners, drivers and fans to showcase the best in truck design and craftsmanship,” said Toby Young, President of MATS. “We’re excited to welcome the custom truck enthusiast community back to Louisville in 2026 and raise the bar even higher.”

For full details, please visit truckingshow.com/pky-truck-beauty.

About MATS

Since 1972, the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) has grown to be the world’s largest and longest-running annual heavy-duty trucking event. MATS is the place to experience everything from new technologies to networking with industry thought leaders. This is where the industry’s largest brands and promising startups do business, form partnerships, and make meaningful connections. More than 800 exhibitors and 50,000 attendees are expected from across the globe at MATS this year, making it the education and innovation epicenter of the trucking industry. The entire industry connects at MATS 54 on March 26-28, 2026.