Kawasaki UK confirms its official Arenacross team for 2027, with Taylor Hammal and Tristan Purdon lining up on the new 2027 KX450F, while the KX327 two-stroke makes its official UK off-road debut at Dirt Bike Live.

The officially supported Kawasaki UK team brings together two riders with plenty to offer on the tight, technical Arenacross tracks, as the championship prepares for six rounds across Birmingham, Belfast and Aberdeen.

Hammal returns to Arenacross following a breakthrough 2026 outdoor season, which included an MXGP appearance at Foxhill and selection to represent Great Britain at the Motocross of Nations.

The British rider was showing strong form during the 2025 Arenacross championship, including a fourth-place Pro Main finish at Wembley, before injury brought his campaign to a premature end. He'll now have another opportunity to take on the championship following one of the strongest seasons of his career.

Joining him is South African rider Tristan Purdon, who is based in Britain and brings considerable Supercross experience to the team. With his background in the discipline, Purdon could prove a strong contender on the Arenacross tracks.

Ross Burridge, Team Manager, said:

"We're really excited to be bringing Team Green Kawasaki to Arenacross with Taylor and Tristan. We've got two seriously talented riders, and I think they're going to make a great pairing.

Taylor's had an incredible year outdoors, and after the way his Arenacross campaign ended in 2025, I know he's keen to get back out there and show what he can do. Tristan's got plenty of Supercross experience, and I'm really looking forward to seeing how he gets on against the British championship regulars.

There's a lot happening for Kawasaki around the event too, with the official UK launch of the new KX327 at Dirt Bike Live. It's an exciting time for the brand, and we're looking forward to being part of both events."

Taylor Hammal said:

"I was gutted when my Arenacross campaign ended early in 2025 because I felt like I was just starting to find my form. I really enjoyed the racing, so I've wanted another go ever since.

2026 has been a massive year for me, and getting the opportunity to race MXGP at Foxhill and represent Great Britain at the Nations meant a lot. I'm feeling confident, and I'm looking forward to taking that into Arenacross.

It's great to be racing with Team Green Kawasaki, and I can't wait to get back in front of those crowds and see what we can do."

Tristan Purdon said:

"I'm really excited to be racing Arenacross with Kawasaki, especially on the new KX450F. It's a brilliant opportunity and I'm looking forward to seeing what we can do with the bike indoors.

"The competition is looking really strong this year, but that's what makes it exciting. We've got a great team behind us, and I know both Taylor and I will be pushing hard to get up front. I can't wait to get started!"

KAWASAKI KX327 SET FOR OFFICIAL UK LAUNCH AT DIRT BIKE LIVE

Alongside its Arenacross campaign, Kawasaki UK will use Dirt Bike Live at Birmingham's bp pulse LIVE on 6 & 7 February to officially launch its new KX327 two-stroke in the UK.

The launch will give off-road enthusiasts the opportunity to see the new machine up close at the event, which brings together manufacturers, riders, brands and fans from across the off-road motorcycle world.

With Dirt Bike Live taking place alongside the opening rounds of Arenacross, visitors can discover the latest Kawasaki machinery during the day before supporting Team Green Kawasaki as Hammal and Purdon take to the Arenacross track.

Matt Bates, Arenacross Promoter, said:

"Having Team Green Kawasaki joining Arenacross with Taylor Hammal and Tristan Purdon is brilliant news for the championship. They've put together a seriously strong team, and I can't wait to see what those two can do.

Taylor's had an incredible year, and seeing him earn his place representing Great Britain at the Nations was brilliant. He was riding so well at Arenacross in 2025 before that injury, and I remember how disappointing it was to lose him just as he was finding his form. I'm really pleased we're getting him back, especially after everything he's achieved this year. And with Tristan bringing some serious Supercross talent to the team, I think they're going to be a great pairing.

It's also exciting that Kawasaki has chosen Dirt Bike Live for the official UK off-road launch of its new KX327. That's exactly the kind of manufacturer involvement we want to see across the two events. We've worked incredibly hard to build a championship and an off-road weekend that attracts this level of support, and it makes me really proud of what we're achieving."

The 2027 Arenacross British Championship will feature six rounds across three UK cities, with a £150,000 championship prize fund.

2027 ARENACROSS BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP

• 6 & 7 February; bp pulse LIVE, Birmingham
• 12 & 13 February; O2 Arena, Belfast
• 26 & 27 February; P&J LIVE, Aberdeen

Tickets are on sale now at axworldtour.com.