MotoGP – Japan Grand Prix – 2026

MotoGP Grand Prix of Japan 2026 at Motegi

The Motul Grand Prix of Japan is one of the most prestigious events on the MotoGP calendar, taking place from October 2 to 4, 2026, at Mobility Resort Motegi in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. As the home race of Honda Motor Co., the event holds special significance – the circuit was built by the Japanese manufacturer in 1997 and has been a permanent fixture on the MotoGP World Championship schedule since 2004. Round 16 of the 2026 season promises intense battles on a track renowned for its demanding braking zones and tight hairpin corners.

Circuit and Statistics

Mobility Resort Motegi (formerly Twin Ring Motegi) features a 4.801 km road course with 14 corners, including several 90-degree turns and consecutive hairpin bends. The circuit places exceptional demands on braking performance – few other tracks on the calendar punish brakes as heavily as Motegi. The MotoGP lap record stands at 1:43.489, set by Brad Binder (KTM). The venue has a spectator capacity of approximately 50,000.

Motegi as a Travel Destination

The circuit is situated in rural Tochigi Prefecture, approximately 120 kilometres northeast of Tokyo. The region is known for its hot springs (onsen), historic temples, and the famous Kegon Falls near Nikkō. International visitors are advised to travel via Tokyo, where shuttle buses run directly to the circuit. The Shinkansen connection to Utsunomiya with a subsequent transfer is also a popular option.

Schedule (Local Time / JST)

The detailed timetable with exact session times is usually published by MotoGP several weeks before the event. This page will be updated as soon as the official schedule is available.

Friday, October 2, 2026

• Moto3™ Free Practice 1
• Moto2™ Free Practice 1
• MotoGP™ Free Practice 1
• Moto3™ Practice
• Moto2™ Practice
• MotoGP™ Practice

Saturday, October 3, 2026

• Moto3™ Free Practice 2
• Moto2™ Free Practice 2
• MotoGP™ Free Practice 2
• MotoGP™ Qualifying 1 & 2
• Moto3™ Qualifying 1 & 2
• Moto2™ Qualifying 1 & 2
• MotoGP™ Tissot Sprint (12 laps)

Sunday, October 4, 2026

• MotoGP™ Warm-up
• Moto3™ Race (20 laps)
• Moto2™ Race (22 laps)
• MotoGP™ Grand Prix (24 laps)

Event Details

Event: Motul Grand Prix of Japan 2026
Date: October 2–4, 2026
Circuit: Mobility Resort Motegi, Motegi, Tochigi, Japan
Track length: 4.801 km (2.983 mi)
Corners: 14
Laps MotoGP: 24
Laps Sprint: 12
Time zone: JST (UTC+9)
Website: mr-motegi.jp