MotoGP Concorde Agreement sealed: Rider market for 2027 now in motion

• Term from 2027 to 2031, with an option to extend core provisions until 2036
• Fixed annual fee of around 8 million euros (approximately 9.2 million US dollars) instead of a percentage-based revenue share
• Official ratification planned for the following race weekend in Brno

For a long time, the commercial framework agreement of MotoGP was considered the biggest political issue in the premier class. The promoter and manufacturers wrangled over financial terms for more than a year, with an open rift threatening on several occasions. Now the deadlock has been broken: the manufacturers and the series organizer, MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group, have agreed on a joint framework agreement. This also ends the stalemate on the rider market, as numerous transfers for 2027 depended directly on this contract.

What was agreed in the new MotoGP Concorde Agreement?

Manufacturers and the promoter have approved a framework agreement that binds both sides from 2027 through to the end of 2031. The contract also includes an option to extend its core provisions until 2036.

According to media reports, both the factory teams organized in the manufacturers’ association MSMA and the independent teams have agreed to the latest version of the contract. The tough negotiations lasted longer than either side had originally expected. A key reason was the manufacturers’ strategy, who saw the current timing as an opportunity to push for the best possible terms. Both parties intend to officially ratify the agreement at the following race weekend in Brno.

Why won’t the teams get a percentage-based revenue share?

A percentage-based share of revenues was a red line for the promoter’s leadership, which is why a fixed annual fee was retained. In the end, the parties agreed on around 8 million euros (approximately 9.2 million US dollars), distributed across several remuneration categories.

The biggest point of contention was financial from the outset. Manufacturers and teams had pushed for a percentage share of the championship’s revenues, similar to the model used in Formula 1, which like MotoGP belongs to Liberty Media. Many team principals considered this the fairest solution, allowing all parties to share in the success and growth of the series. For the two managing directors of MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group, Carmelo Ezpeleta and sporting director Carlos Ezpeleta, such a model was out of the question. They wanted to stick with the existing pattern of fixed payments that flow regardless of total revenues.

What is the MotoGP Concorde Agreement?

The Concorde Agreement is the commercial framework contract between the promoter and the manufacturers and teams, and is considered the MotoGP equivalent of the similarly named agreement in Formula 1. It governs the mutual rights and obligations as well as the distribution of revenues over a fixed period.

The name traces back to Formula 1. The original Concorde Agreement of 1981 was intended to resolve the power struggle at the time between the world motorsport federation and the constructors’ association. With the entry of Bernie Ecclestone as managing director, the contract was renewed in 1987. To this day, its exact contents remain confidential, but it is known that in Formula 1, payouts are tied to championship standings. The difference between a fourth and fifth overall position alone is said to amount to more than ten million euros (approximately 11.5 million US dollars), and participants collectively receive roughly half of the profits. It was precisely this principle that the MotoGP manufacturers had in mind when they banded together in mid-2025 at the Czech Grand Prix and appointed former Yamaha director Lin Jarvis as their spokesperson. The MSMA is headed by Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola.

How did the agreement come about after a year of dispute?

The agreement is the result of a long tug-of-war that stretched across several race weekends and threatened to escalate on multiple occasions. Only after the promoter adjusted its strategy did the positions begin to converge.

Negotiations had stalled over financial differences. At a summit meeting ahead of the United States Grand Prix in Austin in April, an agreement fell through because the gap between the two sides was too large. The proposal at that point already stood at around 8 million euros (approximately 9.2 million US dollars), an increase of just under one million euros (approximately 1.15 million US dollars) over the expiring contract. The teams considered this increase too small, especially as the promoter demanded a significant expansion in marketing, communications, and hospitality operations in return. Shortly afterward, at the Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez, a clear signal followed: three of the five manufacturers stayed away from a traditional dinner hosted by the promoter without prior notice. The organizer then changed its strategy and began negotiating individually with manufacturers and teams. Among the manufacturers’ demands were more input, for example in shaping the race calendar, as well as clarification on the ownership of grid entries, which currently belong to the promoter.

Which rider transfers does the agreement enable for 2027?

With the breakthrough on the Concorde Agreement, the teams can now announce their personnel decisions for 2027, which had been in the works for some time. Several transfers and contract extensions have reportedly been in place for months but could not be made official due to the unresolved contractual situation.

Aprilia was the first to act, announcing the extension of Marco Bezzecchi. The remaining agreements have not yet been made official but are expected to follow in the coming days. Widely expected moves include Marc Marquez’s contract extension with Ducati, Pedro Acosta’s promotion to the Ducati factory team, Fabio Quartararo’s move to Honda, Jorge Martin’s switch to Yamaha, and Francesco Bagnaia’s transfer to Aprilia. As the new 850cc regulation era begins in 2027 in parallel, the restructuring of the rider lineup coincides with a profound technical overhaul of the series.

Open issues and next steps

The approval initially applies to a framework agreement, with several details still open. This primarily concerns the specific obligations the teams will need to take on starting next year.

The promoter’s priority is to strengthen the series’ communications and marketing activities. Accordingly, teams have been asked to expand these departments in terms of staffing and organization. Parallel discussions continue regarding formal and operational changes that are set to take effect as early as 2027. The official signing in Brno is considered the next step, after which the independent teams are expected to follow suit.

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