Grande Prémio de Portugal – 2026
Grande Prémio de Portugal 2026 – MotoGP at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve
From November 20 to 22, 2026, the MotoGP World Championship heads to the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão for Round 21 of the season. The Grande Prémio de Portugal has quickly become one of the most popular race weekends on the calendar since its MotoGP debut in 2020. The spectacular topography of the circuit, the mild climate on the Algarve coast and the passionate Portuguese fans create a truly unique racing experience – and as the penultimate round of the season, Portugal regularly plays a decisive role in the championship outcome.
Circuit and Challenge
The Autódromo Internacional do Algarve opened in 2008 and is widely regarded as one of the most spectacular circuits on the entire MotoGP calendar. The 4.592 km track features 15 corners – nine right-handers and six left-handers – and is characterised by extreme elevation changes of up to 60 metres. Blind crests, fast downhill sections and constant direction changes have earned Portimão the nickname “Algarve rollercoaster.” Turns 1 and 13 present a particularly unique challenge: their apexes lie beyond crests, meaning the turn-in points are invisible under braking. The 969-metre main straight allows top speeds exceeding 340 km/h before riders plunge into the demanding first corner.
History and Records
Portimão entered the MotoGP calendar in 2020 as a replacement circuit during the COVID-19 pandemic and immediately delivered spectacular racing. The circuit quickly earned a permanent place on the schedule. Miguel Oliveira’s home victory in 2020 created a historic moment that firmly established the Portuguese Grand Prix in the hearts of motorcycle racing fans worldwide. In recent years, the track has consistently produced close battles and surprising results, aided by its unique characteristics that enable overtaking in unexpected places. The circuit has also served as a venue for official MotoGP pre-season tests and has established itself as a versatile track used by both MotoGP and the Superbike World Championship.
Portimão and the Algarve as a Travel Destination
The city of Portimão is located on the western Algarve and belongs to one of Europe’s most popular holiday regions. The Algarve coastline impresses with spectacular cliffs, golden sandy beaches and the famous rock formation Ponta da Piedade in the neighbouring town of Lagos. Portimão itself offers a pleasant mix of culture and relaxation with its historic city centre, the fishing museum and the lively restaurant scene around Praia da Rocha. In November, the Algarve enjoys pleasant temperatures of 15–18°C with plenty of sunshine – ideal conditions for a race weekend. Faro Airport is located approximately 70 kilometres to the east and offers direct connections from most major European cities.
Provisional Schedule (Local Time WET, UTC±0)
Friday, November 20
- 09:00–09:35 – Moto3™ Free Practice 1 (P1)
- 09:50–10:30 – Moto2™ Free Practice 1 (P1)
- 10:45–11:30 – MotoGP™ Free Practice 1 (P1)
- 13:15–13:50 – Moto3™ Practice Session (P2)
- 14:05–14:45 – Moto2™ Practice Session (P2)
- 15:00–16:00 – MotoGP™ Practice Session (P2)
Saturday, November 21
- 09:00–09:35 – Moto3™ Free Practice 2 (P2)
- 09:50–10:30 – Moto2™ Free Practice 2 (P2)
- 10:45–11:15 – MotoGP™ Free Practice (FP)
- 11:15–12:00 – MotoGP™ Qualifying (Q1/Q2)
- 13:15 – Moto3™ Qualifying
- 14:05 – Moto2™ Qualifying
- 15:00 – MotoGP™ Tissot Sprint
Sunday, November 22
- 09:40 – MotoGP™ Warm-Up
- 11:00 – Moto3™ Race
- 12:15 – Moto2™ Race
- 14:00 – MotoGP™ Grand Prix
Note: The schedule is provisional and based on the standard MotoGP format for the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve. The final timetable will be confirmed by FIM and Dorna Sports ahead of the race weekend.
Event Details
Event: Grande Prémio de Portugal 2026 (Rd. 21)
Date: November 20–22, 2026
Circuit: Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, Portimão, Portugal
Track Length: 4.592 km (15 corners)
Timezone: Europe/Lisbon (WET, UTC±0)
Organiser: Dorna Sports / FIM
Tickets: portugalmotogp.com
Website: motogp.com · autodromodoalgarve.com
