Brazil returns: Race in Goiania
After a break of more than two decades, Brazil is set to host a MotoGP race again. The Brazilian Grand Prix is scheduled as the second race on the calendar on March 22 at the Ayrton Senna Circuit in Goiania. The event is subject to final track homologation. This is MotoGP’s response to interest in the South American market after Argentina was dropped for 2026. A return to Argentina is planned for 2027, but then on the Buenos Aires circuit.
Update (April 11, 2026): The Qatar GP has been postponed from its original April date to November 6–8, 2026, due to the geopolitical situation in the Middle East. As a result, the Portuguese GP (now November 20–22) and the season finale in Valencia (now November 27–29) have each been pushed back by one week. Qatar is no longer Round 4 but Round 20 – all subsequent round numbers have shifted accordingly. The calendar and description on this page have been updated to reflect these changes.
Changes and special features in the calendar
- Double events and new dates: The season will once again comprise 22 race weekends (equivalent to 44 races including sprint races), including numerous so-called doubleheaders – two consecutive races in different countries.
- USA: After the season opener in Thailand and the Brazilian Grand Prix, the race in Austin (Texas) will take place on March 29.
- Qatar postponed: The Qatar Grand Prix in Lusail has been postponed from April 12 to November 8, 2026, due to the geopolitical situation in the Middle East. Portugal and Valencia have each been pushed back by one week as a result.
- European phase: The European races will kick off on April 26 in Jerez (Spain), followed by events in France, Catalonia, Italy, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. The Hungarian Grand Prix at the Balaton Park Circuit will be moved forward significantly to the beginning of June and is already scheduled for June 7.
- Summer break and new dates: The Grand Prix at the Sachsenring on July 12 marks the end of the first half of the season. After the summer break, Silverstone (Great Britain) will start in August, followed by Aragon (Spain) on August 30. Some races, such as the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring, have been postponed to later dates and will now take place in mid-September.
- Asia and Australia tour: In the fall, the traditional Far East tour is on the agenda with races in Japan (Motegi), Indonesia (Mandalika), Australia (Phillip Island), and Malaysia (Sepang).
- Finale in Europe: The season ends with the Qatar Grand Prix in Lusail (November 8), followed by the Portuguese Grand Prix in Portimao (November 22) and the traditional finale in Valencia (November 29). Immediately after the Valencia race, the first official test for the motorcycles under the new regulations is scheduled for the following Tuesday.
The provisional 2026 MotoGP calendar at a glance
|
Round |
Grand Prix |
Circuit |
Date |
|
1 |
Thailand Grand Prix |
Buriram |
February 27 – March 1 |
|
2 |
Brazilian Grand Prix |
Goiania |
March 20–22 |
|
3 |
Americas Grand Prix |
Austin (COTA) |
March 27–29 |
|
4 |
Spanish Grand Prix |
Jerez |
April 24–26 |
|
5 |
French Grand Prix |
Le Mans |
May 8–10 |
|
6 |
Catalan Grand Prix |
Barcelona |
May 15–17 |
|
7 |
Italian Grand Prix |
Mugello |
May 29–31 |
|
8 |
Hungarian Grand Prix |
Balaton Park |
June 5–7 |
|
9 |
Czech Grand Prix |
Brno |
June 19–21 |
|
10 |
Dutch Grand Prix |
Assen |
June 26–28 |
|
11 |
German Grand Prix |
Sachsenring |
July 10–12 |
|
12 |
British Grand Prix |
Silverstone |
August 7–9 |
|
13 |
Aragon Grand Prix |
Alcaniz (Aragon) |
August 28–30 |
|
14 |
San Marino Grand Prix |
Misano |
September 11–13 |
|
15 |
Austrian Grand Prix |
Spielberg |
September 18–20 |
|
16 |
Japanese Grand Prix |
Motegi |
October 2–4 |
|
17 |
Indonesian Grand Prix |
Mandalika |
October 9–11 |
|
18 |
Australian Grand Prix |
Phillip Island |
October 23–25 |
|
19 |
Malaysian Grand Prix |
Sepang |
October 30 – November 1 |
|
20 |
Qatar Grand Prix |
Lusail |
November 6–8 |
|
21 |
Portuguese Grand Prix |
Portimao |
November 20–22 |
|
22 |
Valencia Grand Prix |
Ricardo Tormo |
November 27–29 |
Conclusion
The 2026 MotoGP calendar remains stable with 22 races and international diversity, with Brazil’s comeback being one of the key changes. Numerous adjustments to the dates of individual races and the return of traditional tracks such as Brno and Goiania are set to provide additional excitement. The staging of the Brazilian Grand Prix is still contingent on the completion and homologation of the Ayrton Senna Circuit.
