WorldSBK – Portugal – Estoril – 2026

WorldSBK at the Circuito do Estoril – the Portuguese Round of the 2026 Superbike World Championship

From October 9 to 11, 2026, the Circuito do Estoril welcomes the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship for Round 11 of the season. The historic circuit on the Portuguese Atlantic coast has been part of the WorldSBK calendar since 2020 and quickly established itself as one of the most popular venues on the championship. As the penultimate round before the season finale in Jerez, Estoril 2026 could once again become the stage for a decisive moment in the title fight.

Track and Character

The Circuito do Estoril is 4.182 km long and features 13 corners – four left-handers and nine right-handers. The circuit was opened in 1972 and experienced its golden era as the host of the Formula 1 Portuguese Grand Prix (1984–1996), where legends like Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost delivered unforgettable battles.

The track layout is distinguished by its famous uphill start-finish straight, which begins at the exit of a fast right-hander and offers riders an impressive view across the circuit and the ocean as they brake into the first corner. The combination of medium to fast corners, varying elevation changes, and the influence of the Atlantic coastal climate makes Estoril a circuit that rewards both technical skill and courage. The asphalt is generally grippy but can become slippery quickly in changeable coastal weather – a factor that has produced surprises in the past.

Race Programme

The WorldSBK weekend at the Circuito do Estoril features the full Superbike World Championship programme:

• 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

Estoril made its WorldSBK debut in 2020 as a replacement for cancelled overseas rounds and immediately impressed with thrilling races. The circuit quickly earned a permanent spot on the calendar and is now regarded as one of the tracks where close battles and surprising results are particularly common. The compact layout offers numerous overtaking opportunities, particularly in the braking zones of Turns 1 and 3 and at the exit of the final corner onto the main straight.

With Ducati’s strong presence in WorldSBK, established stars like Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, and an exciting mix of rising talents, the Portuguese Round 2026 promises thrilling racing on the Atlantic coast – and as the penultimate round, potentially a championship-deciding weekend.

Provisional Schedule (Local Time WEST, UTC+1)

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, October 9

• 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, October 10

• WorldSBK Free Practice 3 and Warm-ups
• WorldSBK Tissot Superpole – Morning
• WorldWCR Race 1
• WorldSSP Race 1
• WorldSBK Race 1 – Afternoon

Sunday, October 11

• Warm-up sessions for all classes
• WorldSBK Tissot Superpole Race – Morning
• WorldWCR Race 2
• WorldSBK Race 2 – Afternoon
• WorldSSP Race 2 – Late afternoon

Estoril and the Cascais Coast as a Travel Destination

The Circuito do Estoril is located on the Linha de Cascais, the elegant coastal region west of Lisbon. The towns of Estoril and Cascais together form the “Portuguese Riviera” – a region that has been known since the 19th century as the summer residence of the Portuguese royal family and international high society. The legendary Casino Estoril, the Praia de Carcavelos beach, and the charming fishing harbour of Cascais are among the highlights of the region.

Getting there is easy: from Lisbon, Estoril can be reached in about 30 minutes by train (Linha de Cascais from Cais do Sodré) or via the A5 motorway. Lisbon’s international airport (Aeroporto Humberto Delgado) is just 30 km away and offers direct connections to all major European cities. In October, the coast enjoys pleasant temperatures of 17–22°C with predominantly sunny weather.

Event Details

Event: MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship – Rd. 11
Date: October 9–11, 2026
Circuit: Circuito do Estoril, Estoril, Portugal
Track Length: 4.182 km (13 corners)
Timezone: WEST (UTC+1)
Organizer: Dorna WSBK Organization
Website: worldsbk.com · circuito-estoril.pt