In the United States, speedway is almost always an individual sport. Riders chase points in national championships or one-night events, but there’s no league season. In Europe, it’s a different world. Speedway is built around team leagues, and nowhere is that system bigger or more professional than in Poland.
Leagues Across Europe
Speedway leagues exist in Poland, Great Britain, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, the Czech Republic, France, Norway, and Russia. Each country runs its own version with slightly different rules and formats. But Poland is the clear powerhouse: the biggest money, the biggest crowds, and the strongest competition.
The Polish League System
Poland has three divisions:
- PGE Ekstraliga – the top league, considered the best in the world.
- Metalkas 2. Ekstraliga – the second tier.
- Krajowa Liga Żużlowa (KLŻ) – the third tier.
Unlike in the U.S., there’s promotion and relegation. Teams that finish at the bottom drop down, while winners move up. That European-style system keeps every match meaningful.
Teams and Riders
A Polish league team lines up eight riders: seniors, one under-24, two Polish under-21 juniors, and a reserve. At least two Polish riders and two juniors must be on every roster. It’s a blend of stars and homegrown youth, similar to how American sports use rookie quotas or college drafts.
How a Match Works
A league match features 15 heats (races), with two riders from each team in every heat.
- Heat 2 is for juniors only.
- Heats 14 and 15 are “nominated,” where team managers pick their strongest riders.
Scoring is simple: 3–2–1–0 for first to fourth place. The points go to the team total, and the higher score after 15 heats wins the match.
Managers can make tactical substitutions if their team is losing, and reserves can step in when needed. Riders usually race five times in a match, but stars can ride 6–7 heats if the rules allow.
The Season
The regular season is short and intense: just 14 matches (home and away). Every race counts. After that:
- Top teams go to the playoffs to fight for the championship.
- Bottom teams face relegation or play-downs to avoid dropping to a lower league.
- In KLŻ, there are only playoffs.
These are the rules in Poland today, but every country has its own system.
Money, Media, and Crowds
Polish speedway is big business. The TV deal for PGE Ekstraliga alone is worth about $18 million per year, with every match in the top two leagues broadcast live on television and online. KLŻ is not televised.
Crowds are massive by motorsport standards. The average attendance in the 2025 PGE Ekstraliga was about 10,000 per match. In Wrocław, the stadium sold out every time—13,675 fans on average, 100% capacity. That’s the kind of loyalty you expect in NFL or NBA arenas, not a motorcycle sport most Americans have never seen.
Why Poland Leads
Poland attracts the best riders from all over the world—Australia, Denmark, Sweden, Great Britain, even the U.S. It has the biggest budgets, the best tracks, and the strongest competition. For riders, Poland is the place to be.
But remember: every country runs speedway differently. In Sweden or the U.K., the leagues are smaller. In Denmark or the Czech Republic, formats vary. In the U.S., there isn’t a league at all—just one-off events and championships.
If you’ve only seen American speedway, imagine this: the NFL or MLB, but on brakeless 500cc bikes sliding sideways at 70 mph. That’s Polish league speedway.
It’s not just riders chasing trophies. It’s teams, cities, and fans filling stadiums week after week—each country with its own twist, but Poland setting the global standard.