WorldSBK – Pirelli Portuguese Round – 2026

WorldSBK Returns to the Algarve Rollercoaster

The Superbike World Championship heads to the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão from March 27 to 29, 2026, for the second round of the season. The legendary circuit on Portugal’s southern coast is widely regarded as one of the most spectacular venues on the racing calendar: extreme elevation changes of up to 60 metres, blind crests, and high-speed downhill sections have earned Portimão the nickname “Rollercoaster of the Algarve”. At 4.592 kilometres with 15 corners – nine right-handers and six left-handers – the track demands the very best from riders and machines alike.

This round carries extra significance as the venue for the debut of the brand-new World Sportbike Championship (WorldSPB), which replaces the WorldSSP300 category and will hold its very first race here. The Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship (WorldWCR) also kicks off its season in Portimão. Combined with WorldSBK and WorldSSP, four classes will take to the track across a packed weekend featuring 13 sessions and races.

Circuit Facts and Statistics

The current WorldSBK lap record at Portimão belongs to Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, who set a stunning 1:39.081 during Superpole in 2025, breaking his own record twice in a single day. The Turkish BMW rider swept all three races at the last Portuguese Round, surpassing Carl Fogarty’s all-time wins tally with his hat-trick. Over the last twelve races at Portimão, only two riders have stood on the top step: Razgatlıoğlu (eight wins) and Álvaro Bautista (four wins).

Portimão as a Travel Destination

Portimão is located on the western Algarve coast and offers spectacular clifftop scenery, golden sandy beaches, and the famous Ponta da Piedade rock formations in neighbouring Lagos. March temperatures of around 18–20°C provide ideal conditions for a race weekend. Faro Airport is approximately 70 kilometres to the east.

Full Schedule (Local Time)

Friday, March 27 (UTC+0)

• 09:00–09:25 – WorldWCR Free Practice
• 09:40–10:05 – WorldSPB Free Practice
• 10:20–11:05 – WorldSBK FP1
• 11:20–12:00 – WorldSSP Free Practice
• 13:30–13:55 – WorldWCR Tissot Superpole
• 14:10–14:35 – WorldSPB Tissot Superpole
• 15:00–15:45 – WorldSBK FP2
• 16:00–16:40 – WorldSSP Tissot Superpole

Saturday, March 28 (UTC+0)

• 09:00–09:10 – WorldWCR Warm Up
• 09:20–09:30 – WorldSPB Warm Up
• 09:40–10:00 – WorldSBK FP3
• 10:10–10:20 – WorldSSP Warm Up
• 11:15–11:30 – WorldSBK Tissot Superpole
• 12:00 – WorldWCR Race 1 (11 laps)
• 13:00 – WorldSPB Race 1 (11 laps)
• 14:00 – WorldSSP Race 1 (17 laps)
• 15:30 – WorldSBK Race 1 (20 laps)

Sunday, March 29 (UTC+1 – Clocks Spring Forward!)

• 08:55–09:05 – WorldWCR Warm Up
• 09:15–09:25 – WorldSBK Warm Up
• 09:35–09:45 – WorldSPB Warm Up
• 09:55–10:05 – WorldSSP Warm Up
• 11:10 – WorldSBK Tissot Superpole Race (10 laps)
• 12:00 – WorldWCR Race 2 (11 laps)
• 13:00 – WorldSPB Race 2 (11 laps)
• 14:00 – WorldSSP Race 2 (17 laps)
• 15:30 – WorldSBK Race 2 (20 laps)

Note: Clocks spring forward from UTC+0 to UTC+1 (summer time) overnight between Saturday and Sunday. All Sunday times are listed in summer time.

Event Details

Event: Pirelli Portuguese Round – WorldSBK 2026
Round: 2 of 12
Date: March 27–29, 2026
Circuit: Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, Portimão, Portugal
Circuit Length: 4.592 km
Corners: 15 (9 right, 6 left)
WorldSBK Laps: 20 (Superpole Race: 10)
Timezone: Europe/Lisbon (Fri/Sat: UTC+0, Sun: UTC+1)
Tickets: tickets.worldsbk.com
Website: worldsbk.com