Suzuka 8 Hours – EWC Round 3 – 2026
Suzuka 8 Hours 2026 – Japan’s Legendary Endurance Race
From July 3 to 5, 2026, the Suzuka Circuit in Japan’s Mie Prefecture hosts the 47th edition of the Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours – the third round of the 2026 FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC). The Suzuka 8 Hours is widely regarded as Asia’s most prestigious motorcycle endurance race, attracting hundreds of thousands of spectators to the circuit each year.
The Circuit
Opened by Honda in 1962, Suzuka Circuit is unique in world motorsport: the 5.821-kilometre track follows a figure-8 layout, crossing over itself via an overpass – a configuration found at no other Grand Prix circuit on the planet. With 18 corners, including the famous S-Curves (Esses), the demanding Degner Curve, the high-speed 130R and the technical Spoon Curve, Suzuka demands the utmost from both rider and machine. During an 8-hour race in the heat and humidity of a Japanese summer, the circuit becomes the ultimate proving ground.
History and Significance
Since its inaugural running in 1978, the Suzuka 8 Hours has grown into the crown jewel of Asian motorcycle racing. During the 1980s and 1990s, the event was a global superbike spectacle with grids regularly exceeding 200 teams. Legends such as Wayne Gardner, Mick Doohan, Colin Edwards and Michael Rutter have all written history here. Honda HRC dominates the all-time winners’ list and is aiming for yet another victory in 2026.
2026 EWC Season
The 2026 FIM Endurance World Championship comprises four rounds: the 24 Heures Motos at Le Mans (April), the 8h Spa Motos at Spa-Francorchamps (June), the Suzuka 8 Hours in Japan (July) and the Bol d’Or at Le Castellet (September). Factory teams from Yamaha, Honda, BMW, Suzuki, Kawasaki and Ducati field three-rider crews on current-specification superbikes in the fight for the world title. After the season opener at Le Mans and the second round at Spa, Suzuka represents the decisive showdown before the season finale.
Format and Schedule
The race weekend spans three days:
- Friday, July 3: Administrative and technical checks, free practice sessions
- Saturday, July 4: Qualifying sessions, Top 10 Trial (pole position shootout)
- Sunday, July 5: Warm-up, 8-hour race start at 11:30 AM (JST), finish around 7:30 PM
The Top 10 Trial on Saturday is a highlight in its own right: the ten fastest teams from qualifying compete in an individual time-attack session for pole position – a format unique to the Endurance World Championship.
Getting There
Suzuka Circuit is located in the city of Suzuka, Mie Prefecture, approximately 60 kilometres southwest of Nagoya. The nearest international airport is Chubu Centrair (NGO) in Nagoya, from where the circuit can be reached in approximately 90 minutes by train or car. Alternative airports include Kansai (KIX) in Osaka (approx. 2.5 hours) and Osaka Itami (ITM). The Shinkansen connects Tokyo to Nagoya in under 2 hours, with regional trains and buses running from there to Suzuka.
Event Details
Event: 2026 FIM World Endurance Championship “Coca-Cola” Suzuka 8 Hours – 47th Race
Date: July 3–5, 2026
Circuit: Suzuka Circuit, Suzuka, Mie, Japan
Track length: 5.821 km
Corners: 18
Race duration: 8 hours
Start: Sunday, July 5, 2026, 11:30 AM (JST)
Timezone: Asia/Tokyo (JST, UTC+9)
Website: suzukacircuit.jp · fimewc.com
