The 2026 MotoGP season brings together 22 circuits, each with its own history, quirks and unforgettable stories. Here are 22 fun facts that make every stop on the 2026 MotoGP schedule stand out.
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1) Thailand Grand Prix
Chang International Circuit | March 1
Debuting in 2018, Buriram made an instant impact by winning the IRTA Best Grand Prix Award in its very first year on the MotoGP calendar. Since the award’s inception, the honour has been largely dominated by Spanish-based circuits, making Thailand’s immediate success especially notable.
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2) Brazilian Grand Prix
Autodromo Internacional Ayrton Senna | March 22
The Brazilian Grand Prix returns to the MotoGP calendar for the first time since 2004, maintaining the championship’s presence in South America after the Argentine GP was dropped for the upcoming season. Interestingly, Gresini Racing rider Fermin Aldeguer wasn’t born yet the last time MotoGP raced in Brazil.
3) Grand Prix of the Americas
Circuit of the Americas | March 29
With its dramatic 41-metre climb into Turn 1, COTA features one of MotoGP’s steepest elevation changes, creating a uniquely sharp uphill braking zone unlike any other circuit on the calendar.
4) Qatar Grand Prix
Lusail International Circuit | April 12
From 2007 to 2024, the night race at Lusail served as the season opener except the 2023 season, when the Portuguese Grand Prix had the honour. Thailand then hosted the opening round in 2025 and will do so again in 2026.
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5) Spanish Grand Prix
Circuito de Jerez–Angel Nieto | April 26
Despite Spain’s deep motorsport heritage, local fans had to wait until 1995 to see a homegrown rider win the premier class at the Spanish GP. Alberto Puig made history at Jerez when he took a breakthrough victory ahead of Luca Cadalora and became the first Spanish rider to win a 500cc race on home soil.
6) French Grand Prix
Bugatti Circuit | May 10
Exclusively held in Le Mans since 2000, the French GP is notable for having used the most different circuits in Grand Prix history with a total of eight unique venues. It started at Les Planques in 1951, alternated among Reims-Gueux, Rouen-Les-Essarts, Charade, Paul Armagnac, Nevers Magny-Cours and Paul Ricard before settling at its current home.
7) Catalan Grand Prix
Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya | May 17
Since its debut in 1996, the Catalan track has undergone several major updates and safety-driven modifications to enhance racing quality. Turn 10, in particular, has been redesigned multiple times, making it one of the most frequently modified corners on the modern MotoGP calendar.
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8) Italian Grand Prix
Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello | May 31
Thanks to its exceptionally long main straight, Mugello is renowned for holding nearly all of MotoGP’s top-speed benchmarks. The all-time highest speed was recorded there at 366.1 km/h, a mark achieved by Brad Binder in 2023 and later matched by Pol Espargaro in 2024.
9) Hungarian Grand Prix
Balaton Park Circuit | June 7
2026 marks only the fourth appearance of the Hungarian GP on a MotoGP calendar. After returning last year, it will be held at the Balaton Park Circuit again. The event’s first two editions back in the 1990s were staged at the Hungaroring.
10) Czech Republic Grand Prix
Brno Circuit | June 21
The 1996 edition produced the closest premier-class finish in Grand Prix motorcycle racing history as Alex Criville edged out Honda team-mate Mick Doohan for the win in Brno by just 0.002s.
11) Dutch TT
TT Circuit Assen | June 28
Along with the Italian GP, the Cathedral of Speed has been part of the Grand Prix motorcycle racing since the very beginning. It is one of the sport’s longest-running fixtures, having appeared on the calendar every year since 1949, with the sole exception of 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced its cancellation.
12) German Grand Prix
Sachsenring | July 12
The track in Hohenstein-Ernstthal is unquestionably Marc Marquez’s favourite hunting ground. He achieved a staggering 11 consecutive victories here across multiple classes from 2010 to 2021, one of the most dominant streaks ever seen at a single circuit.
13) British Grand Prix
Silverstone Circuit | August 9
At 5.9km, Silverstone is not only the longest circuit on the 2026 MotoGP calendar, but also one of the longest ever used in the modern era of Grand Prix motorcycle racing.
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14) Aragon Grand Prix
MotorLand Aragon | August 30
Despite a legendary career spanning more than two decades, Valentino Rossi never won a premier-class race here. This Spanish circuit remained one of the few modern-era venues the Doctor never conquered, with his best results being third-place finishes in 2013, 2015 and 2016.
15) San Marino Grand Prix
Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli | September 13
When Misano returned to the MotoGP calendar in 2007, the circuit underwent a major overhaul to meet modern FIM and FIA standards, including a dramatic switch in track direction from anti-clockwise to clockwise. It remains one of the most striking layout transformations in MotoGP history
16) Austrian Grand Prix
Red Bull Ring | September 20
The race track in Spielberg was Marc Marquez’s kryptonite for years, with a premier-class victory continually eluding him. He finally broke the spell in 2025, taking his long-awaited first win at the Red Bull Ring.
17) Japanese Grand Prix
Mobility Resort Motegi | October 4
Previously held at the Suzuka Circuit, the tragic death of Daijiro Kato in the 2003 edition prompted MotoGP to move the event permanently to Motegi, a safer and more modern purpose-built circuit.
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18) Indonesian Grand Prix
Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit | October 11
The Indonesian GP was first hosted in the 1990s at the Sentul International Circuit, but following the 1997 Asian financial crisis, it did not return until the 2022 season.
19) Australian Grand Prix
Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit | October 25
Famous for its fast corners and unpredictable gusts, Phillip Island is one of the few tracks where riders routinely lean into the wind to keep their bikes stable.
20) Malaysian Grand Prix
Petronas Sepang International Circuit | November 1
Sepang is one of the busiest and most event-rich motorsport circuits in Asia and among the most versatile in the world. Beyond MotoGP, it has hosted flagship events such as Formula 1, Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) and World Superbike Championship.
21) Portuguese Grand Prix
Algarve International Circuit | November 15
The COVID-19 pandemic unexpectedly reshaped Portugal’s motorsport landscape, as a revised calendar brought the Portuguese GP back to MotoGP for the first time since 2012. Its renewed profile soon grew further, with the MotoE World Championship also selecting Portimao as a host venue in 2024 and 2025.
22) Valencian Community Grand Prix
Circuit Ricardo Tormo | November 22
Since the premier class was rebranded as MotoGP in 2002, Circuit Ricardo Tormo has become the sport’s most decisive venue. Serving mostly as the season finale, it has seen the champion getting crowned a record six times, more than any other circuit in the MotoGP era. The most recent title decided there was Francesco Bagnaia’s triumph in 2023.
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