WorldSBK – France – Magny-Cours – 2026
Superbike World Championship Returns After the Summer Break – Magny-Cours Hosts Round 9
From September 4 to 6, 2026, the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours welcomes the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship for Round 9 of the season. The legendary circuit in the heart of France marks the start of the second half of the campaign after the summer break – and with it the beginning of the decisive phase in the fight for the world title.
Magny-Cours has been a permanent fixture on the WorldSBK calendar since 2003 and has established itself as one of the most popular and traditional venues on the championship. For France’s Superbike fans, the weekend in the Nièvre département is the highlight of the season.
Track and Character
The Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours is 4.411 km long and features 17 corners – eight left-handers and nine right-handers. The circuit was opened in 1960 and underwent a comprehensive modernization in 1988. From 1991 to 2008, Magny-Cours hosted the Formula 1 French Grand Prix.
The track layout combines fast sections like the famous Grande Courbe with technically demanding chicanes and sweeping corners named after other international racing circuits – including Adelaide, Nürburgring, Estoril, and Imola. The mix of high-speed passages and slow hairpins places particular demands on Superbike setup and makes Magny-Cours a circuit where configuration determines the outcome of the weekend.
The relatively smooth surface is known to be easy on tires, enabling longer stints without performance degradation. The expansive facility offers spectators excellent views of multiple track sections from the grandstands.
Race Programme
The WorldSBK weekend at Magny-Cours features the full Superbike World Championship programme with three main races in the WorldSBK class:
- WorldSBK – 3 races (Race 1 on Saturday, Superpole Race and Race 2 on Sunday)
- WorldSSP – 2 races of the Supersport World Championship
- WorldWCR – 2 races of the FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship
- Yamaha R3 BLU CRU World Cup – Support series for young riders
History and Significance
Magny-Cours has been writing WorldSBK history for over two decades. It was at this circuit that Jonathan Rea secured his fourth consecutive World Championship in 2018 – a historic moment inseparably linked with the Circuit de Nevers. The French Round consistently ranks among the best-attended events on the WorldSBK calendar, benefiting from France’s passionate motorsport fanbase.
With riders such as former MotoGP pilots Miguel Oliveira and Somkiat Chantra, established stars like Danilo Petrucci and Andrea Locatelli, and a strong Ducati contingent, the 2026 season promises thrilling battles on French soil once again.
Provisional Schedule (Local Time CEST, UTC+2)
The detailed schedule will be published by the WSBK Commission a few weeks before the event. The following times are based on the standard format for European WorldSBK rounds.
Friday, September 4
- WorldWCR and Yamaha R3 BLU CRU – Free Practice in the morning
- WorldSBK Free Practice 1 – Morning
- WorldSSP Free Practice – Morning
- Yamaha R3 BLU CRU – Superpole – Midday
- WorldWCR – Tissot Superpole – Afternoon
- WorldSBK Free Practice 2 – Afternoon
- WorldSSP – Tissot Superpole – Late afternoon
Saturday, September 5
- WorldSBK Free Practice 3 and Warm-ups
- WorldSBK Tissot Superpole – Morning
- WorldWCR Race 1
- WorldSSP Race 1
- WorldSBK Race 1 – Afternoon
Sunday, September 6
- Warm-up sessions for all classes
- WorldSBK Tissot Superpole Race – Morning
- WorldWCR Race 2
- WorldSBK Race 2 – Afternoon
- WorldSSP Race 2 – Late afternoon
Magny-Cours and Nièvre as a Travel Destination
The Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours is located in the Nièvre département in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, approximately 250 km south of Paris and 240 km north of Lyon. The nearest major city is Nevers (15 km), which offers attractions including its Romanesque cathedral, the Ducal Palace, and the shrine of Saint Bernadette Soubirous.
The Burgundy region is world-famous for its vineyards, gastronomy, and medieval architecture. Access is best via the A77 motorway (Paris–Nevers) or by TGV train to Nevers with shuttle service to the circuit. For international visitors, Paris-Orly and Lyon-Saint Exupéry airports offer the best connections.
Event Details
Event: MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship – Rd. 9
Date: September 4–6, 2026
Circuit: Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, France
Track Length: 4.411 km (17 corners)
Timezone: CEST (UTC+2)
Organizer: Dorna WSBK Organization
Website: worldsbk.com · circuitmagnycours.com
