$1.4 million in Tax Collections from 2026 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally

South Dakota Department of Revenue Reports $1.4 million in Tax Collections from 2026 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally

The South Dakota Department of Revenue estimates tax collections from the 2026 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally at $1,404,408, an 11% decrease from last year's total of $1,581,736. The lower collections reflect a slowdown in overall rally traffic, which contributed to reduced vendor activity and lower taxable sales. The total includes state sales tax, state tourism tax, municipal sales tax, and municipal gross receipts tax.

State sales tax remained the largest share of collections at $796,998, down from $901,513 in 2025. The 2026 rally also generated $275,598 in state tourism tax and $331,812 in municipal taxes. The decline in traffic was mirrored by a drop in vendor participation, with 822 temporary vendors operating during the rally, 30% fewer than in 2025.

In the Northern Black Hills, including Sturgis and surrounding communities in Meade and Lawrence counties, 661 vendors generated $930,740 in tax revenue, representing a 20% decrease from last year. In contrast, the Southern Black Hills, Rapid City, Custer, Hill City, and Keystone saw 161 vendors generate $473,668 in tax collections, a 15% increase from 2025.