FIM MotoGP World Championship 2026 MARCH 1 – NOVEMBER 22 The opening race of the 2026 championship signals the starting lights on a season of thrilling manoeuvres, breathtaking drama and unrivalled precision over more than 20 Grands Prix that span the globe. Marc Marquez (left) is the defending World Champion after completing an emotional comeback, winning his seventh MotoGP title with five races to spare ACROSS GENERATIONS Season opens amid fierce debate comparing talents of Marquez and Valentino Rossi (inset) – two of the greatest riders of all time – as Spanish rider chases record-equalling eighth crown Titles Marquez 7 Rossi 7 Race starts 207 166 Race victories 73 (35%) 77 (46%) Podiums 126 (61%) 127 (76%) Fastest laps 72 63 Most successive victories 10 7 Note: Rossi statistics taken up to time of seventh title, 2009 (retired 2012) ROLL CALL OF CHAMPIONS Only Italian legend Giacomo Agostini (8) has claimed more titles than Marquez and Rossi. Italy heads list of national triumphs, with 22 crowns won by seven different riders WINNERS BY COUNTRY ITA 22 GBR 17 USA 15 ESP 13 AUS 8 One title each: France, Rhodesia and Nyasaland Ducati Desmosedici GP25 Race calendar European races World races 78th MotoGP season launches in Thailand, while established favourites switch dates to allow three-weekend summer break. Brazil returns for first time since 2004, in vibrant city of Goiania Argentine Grand Prix will return to calendar in 2027 – moving to renovated circuit in Buenos Aires KEY Timing sector Speed trap (max speed) Races 18 Countries 2 MAR 1: Thailand, Buriram BURIRAM INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT Distance: 26 laps – 118.40km MAR 22: Brazil, Goiânia AUTÓDROMO INTERNACIONAL DE GOIÂNIA – AYRTON SENNA Timing sectors TBC Distance: 31 laps – 118.89km MAR 29: United States, Austin CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS Distance: 19 laps – 104.75km APR 12: Qatar, Losail LOSAIL INT’L CIRCUIT Distance: 22 laps – 118.36km APR 26: Spain, Jerez CIRCUITO DE JEREZ Distance: 25 laps – 110.58km MAY 10: France, Le Mans CIRCUIT BUGATTI Distance: 27 laps – 113.00km MAY 17: Catalunya, Barcelona CIRCUIT DE BARCELONA-CATALUNYA Distance: 24 laps – 111.77km MAY 31: Italy, Mugello AUTODROMO INTERNAZIONALE DEL MUGELLO Distance: 23 laps – 120.64km JUN 7: Hungary, Balaton Park Distance: 27 laps – 110.03km BALATON PARK CIRCUIT JUN 21: Czechia, Brno Distance: 21 laps – 113.46km AUTOMOTODROM BRNO JUN 28: Netherlands, Assen TT CIRCUIT ASSEN Distance: 26 laps – 118.09km JUL 12: Germany, Sachsenring SACHSENRING Distance: 30 laps – 110.13km AUG 9: Britain, Silverstone Distance: 20 laps – 118.00km SILVERSTONE CIRCUIT AUG 30: Aragón, Alcañiz MOTORLAND ARAGÓN Distance: 23 laps – 116.77km SEP 13: San Marino, Misano MISANO WORLD CIRCUIT MARCO SIMONCELLI Distance: 27 laps – 114.10km SEP 20: Austria, Spielberg Distance: 28 laps – 121.74km RED BULL RING OCT 4: Japan, Motegi MOBILITY RESORT MOTEGI Distance: 24 laps – 115.22km OCT 11: Indonesia, Mandalika PERTAMINA MANDALIKA CIRCUIT Distance: 27 laps – 116.13km OCT 25: Australia, Phillip Island PHILLIP ISLAND GRAND PRIX CIRCUIT Distance: 27 laps – 120.10km NOV 1: Malaysia, Sepang Distance: 20 laps – 110.86km SEPANG INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT NOV 15: Portugal, Portimao AUTÓDROMO INTERNACIONAL DO ALGARVE Distance: 25 laps – 114.80km NOV 22: Valencia, Cheste CIRCUIT RICARDO TORMO Distance: 27 laps – 108.14km TEAMS AND RIDERS DUCATI LENOVO Francesco Bagnaia ITA Marc Márquez ESP BK8 GRESINI RACING Fermín Aldeguer ESP Álex Márquez ESP PERTAMINA ENDURO Franco Morbidelli ITA F. Di Giannantonio ITA RB FACTORY RACING Brad Binder RSA Pedro Acosta ESP APRILIA Marco Bezzecchi ITA Jorge Martín ESP ME YAMAHA Fabio Quartararo FRA Álex Rins ESP TRACKHOUSE Raúl Fernández ESP Ai Ogura JPN HONDA HRC Luca Marini ITA Joan Mir ESP RB TECH3 Maverick Viñales ESP Enea Bastianini ITA HONDA LCR Johann Zarco FRA Diogo Moreira BRA PRIMA PRAMAC Toprak Razgatlioğlu TUR Jack Miller AUS Source: FIM © GRAPHIC NEWS Pictures: Getty Images