Over the weekend, I visited Bug Run 2026 at Mantorp Park, an event that has long been an obvious meeting place for Volkswagen-enthusiasts from all over the Nordic region. For my part, it was also a journey back in time.

Bug Run is more than just a car meet

Volkswagen has been with me for most of my life. My parents owned several Beetles when I was growing up, and some of my earliest car memories revolve around those cars. Later in life, I've owned one myself Passat Alltrack, four Amarok and today drives a Golf Alltrack.

Perhaps that's why Bug Run feels a bit special. Here, several generations of Volkswagen enthusiasts meet around cars that for many are far more than just a means of transport. Over the weekend, Mantorp Park was filled with everything from classic Beetles and Karmann Ghias to camper vans, Golf GTI models, extreme custom builds, and cars built for both track and drag racing.

CarsCollection.com was on location at Bug Run 2026 to experience the atmosphere, meet the people behind the cars, and document one of Europe's largest Volkswagen events.

On the way home from Nürburgring, where I have participated in Gran Turismo Nürburgring, ...Mantorp Park became a natural stop when Bug Run 2026 was in full swing. Rolling onto the grounds in my own Golf Alltrack, which had only days before travelled around the Nürburgring and had just earned its Nürburgring sticker, didn't make the experience any worse.

It was extra enjoyable to see all the Volkswagen enthusiasts and the many different interpretations of the brand's models. Some cars had been preserved almost exactly as when they left the factory, while others had been rebuilt according to their owners' own ideas and visions. That very mix is a big part of Bug Run's charm.

I've visited Bug Run before, although it was so long ago that I can no longer remember which year it was. However, my own relationship with Volkswagen has been a long one. From my parents' Beetles as I was growing up to the Volkswagen models I've owned myself over the years.

Bug Run 2026 at Mantorp Park

Bug Run at Mantorp Park has long been one of Europe's largest meeting places for Volkswagen enthusiasts. Over the weekend, the area was filled with thousands of visitors and hundreds of Volkswagens from all over the Nordic region. Here, drag racing cars, campervans, family cars, show builds and historic models coexist in a unique mix that few other events can offer.

Mantorp Park and Bug Run 2026 from above

From the air, it became clear how large the area actually is. Hundreds of Volkswagen cars filled the service area at the same time as activities were taking place all around the complex. The combination of exhibition, track driving, camping and socialising makes Bug Run one of the Nordic region's most established Volkswagen events.

A colourful parade of classic Beetles

Along the depot area stood rows of Volkswagen Beetles in every conceivable form. Some bore clear signs of a long life on the roads, while others had been restored to a condition that could almost be described as factory-new. No car was the same as another, and each vehicle told its own story.

The community is as important as the cars

Between the car shows, market stalls and depots, people with the same passion meet. Many have driven hundreds of miles to get to Mantorp, while others spend the whole weekend at the campsite. For many, it is Bug Run 2026 As much a reunion with old friends as a car event. It is precisely the community that makes many return year after year.

Camping life at Bug Run 2026

Camping life is an important part of the experience at Bug Run 2026. On the outskirts of the event grounds, grass areas were transformed into a temporary Volkswagen village where classic Beetles were parked next to T2 buses, tents and homemade camping solutions. The atmosphere was relaxed and many visitors spent the entire weekend on-site.

Creativity knows no bounds at Bug Run 2026

Bug Run 2026 isn't just about classic Volkswagens. It also features some of the most creative vehicle builds in the country. From custom camper vans with fully equipped sleeping areas to extreme show cars where the detailed work often represents thousands of hours of labour. For many visitors, it is precisely this creativity and diversity that makes Bug Run one of the year's most appreciated Volkswagen events.

1977 Volkswagen Scirocco Mk1 GT ”MaggAS Edition”

Among the more notable cars in the area was a 1977 Volkswagen Scirocco Mk1 GT, known as ”Maggas Edition”. Beneath the classic 1970s shell lies extensive modification, with a modern drivetrain, air suspension and a custom-built interior. The result is a car that combines the Scirocco's characteristic lines with technology from considerably newer Volkswagen models. Cars like this demonstrate the breadth and creativity that characterise Bug Run 2026.

A rolling custom build from Finnish TurboTehoa

One of the weekend's most spectacular creations came from the Finnish TurboTehoa. What looked like a Volkswagen Transporter T6 at first glance turned out to be a rolling custom build with air suspension, a special paint job, and an interior built with the same attention to detail as many show cars. The buildings that this is part of are what make Bug Run 2026 so special.

Behind the car was an equally elaborate, custom-built trailer with both sleeping and kitchen facilities for longer journeys. Together, the combination formed an impressive example of how far Volkswagen enthusiasts are prepared to go to realise their ideas.

Closer studies revealed a multitude of smart solutions and special details, both in the Transporter and the trailer. It was a build that attracted many glances during the weekend.

From exhibition area to racetrack

For those who wanted to see Volkswagens truly put to the test, Mantorp Park's circuits provided action all weekend. On the race track, both classic and more modern Volkswagens were pushed to their limits, while the crowds followed the drama from the stands.

As the sky darkened, the party continued

Under Saturday, dark clouds rolled in over Mantorp, but the weather never managed to stop the enthusiasts. On the contrary, the dramatic skies created a powerful backdrop to the classic Volkswagen cars that filled the area.

Fifty years of GTI

As part of my upcoming feature on the Golf GTI’s 50th anniversary, I had the opportunity to photograph a classic Golf GTI Mk1 alongside the new Golf GTI 50 Anniversary. Outside Mantorp Park, we took the cars out onto the Östgöta country roads for a series of car-to-car shots where two generations of GTI met, with half a century between them.

The result was a clear reminder of how much has changed since 1976, but also how faithful today's GTI still is to the original's fundamental idea of a compact, practical, and fun-to-drive performance car.

Volkswagen celebrated the 50th anniversary of the GTI.

Volkswagen also took the opportunity to mark the 50th anniversary of the Golf GTI. The new Golf GTI Edition 50 was showcased, while visitors could also see a small exhibition detailing the history of one of the world's most iconic sport compacts. Throughout the day, there was also anniversary cake and activities for visitors.

One of the most appreciated guests over the weekend was racing driver Johan Kristoffersson. Visitors had the opportunity to meet him, get autographs, and hear him talk about his career. Over the weekend, he also drove visitors around Mantorp Park in the new Golf GTI Edition 50, giving many the chance to experience the anniversary model from the passenger seat alongside one of Sweden's most successful racing drivers.

Good evening with a classic Golf GTI

For those who wanted to test their own driving skills, Volkswagen had set up a cone track where participants could drive a classic Golf GTI Mk2. The bright green GTI quickly became a popular attraction, inviting many attempts as drivers tried to navigate the course as quickly and precisely as possible.The Volkswagen culture lives on

Bug Run 2026 served as another reminder of why Volkswagen continues to engage people across generations. Whether the interest is in historic models, motorsport, camping life, or modern performance, there is a natural place at Bug Run. Perhaps this is precisely why the event continues to attract both return visitors and new ones year after year.

Over the weekend, I also had the opportunity to photograph a classic Golf GTI Mk1 alongside the new Golf GTI 50 Anniversary. This resulted in a separate feature on the GTI model's 50th anniversary, which will be published shortly here on CarsCollection.com.

Further on, I will also return to another model that has meant a lot to me personally, the Volkswagen Golf Alltrack. When the model was new, I had the opportunity to borrow a Golf Alltrack for a trip to Åre, where I produced images that were later used by Volkswagen. Just a few days before Bug Run 2026, I also completed a lap of the Nürburgring in my own Golf Alltrack. That story too will become its own feature here on CarsCollection.com.

Until then, let the pictures from Bug Run 2026 speak for themselves.