MINI USA Opens Registration for MINI Takes the State 2026

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MINI USA has officially opened registration for MINI Takes the States 2026, marking not just another run of the brand’s most iconic owner rally, but a significant milestone. This year celebrates 20 years since the very first MTTS, a grassroots-inspired road trip that has since evolved into one of the most enduring and distinctive owner events in the automotive world.

For 2026, MINI is rewriting the format. Instead of a single cross-country trek, MTTS becomes a series of three long-weekend rallies, each designed to capture the spirit of the original while making it more accessible to a broader audience. It’s a shift that feels both pragmatic and true to the event’s core ethos: community, driving and a shared sense of adventure.

A New Format for a New Era

The biggest change for 2026 is the move to a three-part structure spanning the west coast, northeast and southeast. Each rally will take place over a long weekend, connecting three cities through some of the most scenic driving routes in the country.

California | October 2–4

Monterey > Sonoma > Lake Tahoe

New York | October 23–25

Buffalo > Syracuse > Lake Placid

Florida | November 13–15

Fort Myers > Miami > Key West

From the Pacific Coast Highway to the Adirondacks and down to the Florida Keys, MINI has curated routes that lean heavily into the joy of driving rather than simply the destination. It’s a more modular take on MTTS, but one that arguably makes it easier than ever to join.

Registration is now open via the official site, with pricing set at $150 per person for each weekend rally. For those looking to sample the experience, single-day passes are available for $50. All participants receive an official event goody bag, while supplies last.

Preserving the Spirit of MTTS

Despite the new format, the fundamentals remain unchanged. Each day follows MINI’s familiar Rise & Rally structure, with morning meetups featuring breakfast, music and send-offs before participants head out on curated drives. Evenings shift into community mode, with gatherings designed for storytelling, socializing and celebrating the day’s journey.

That communal aspect has always been the heart of MTTS. In 2024, nearly 2,000 owners took part in at least a portion of the rally, with hundreds of MINIs setting off together each morning. It’s part road trip, part festival and part rolling car show, all anchored by a shared enthusiasm for the brand.

From the GP to a Movement

The origins of MTTS go back to 2006, when MINI launched the first event to celebrate the debut of the original MINI GP. What started as a one-off cross-country rally quickly gained traction, evolving into a biennial tradition that has become something of a rite of passage for MINI owners in the U.S.

Over the past two decades, it’s grown into one of the most successful owner engagement programs run by any OEM. But more importantly, it has remained authentic to its roots. This isn’t about polished presentations or corporate staging. It’s about driving, meeting people and discovering the unexpected along the way.

Three Weekends, One Community

What the 2026 format does particularly well is expand access without diluting the experience. Not everyone can commit to a nine-day cross-country drive. But a long weekend? That’s achievable. And by spreading the event across three distinct regions, MINI is effectively bringing MTTS to more owners than ever before.

If anything, it feels like a natural evolution. The scale may be different, but the intent is exactly the same as it was 20 years ago.

Get people together. Put them on great roads. And let everything else happen naturally.

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