MotoGP Calendar Updated
MotoGP has confirmed the Qatar Grand Prix will no longer be held in April, with the Lusail round now rescheduled for November 6-8 due to the ongoing geopolitical situation in the Middle East.
The change was made in coordination with the FIM, the MotoGP promoter, and local authorities in Qatar, with organisers citing safety, well-being, and the need to deliver the event to the expected standard for teams, riders, and spectators.
The revised date places Qatar in the final phase of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship and forces changes to the calendar’s closing rounds. The Portuguese Grand Prix at Portimão will now take place on November 22, while the season finale in Valencia moves to November 29.
All other rounds on the 2026 MotoGP calendar are set to remain unchanged.
MotoGP says the November date was selected after reviewing a range of options to minimise disruption to the broader championship schedule.
MotoGP CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta said the decision had been made carefully and in consultation with organisers in Qatar and stakeholders across the paddock, with safety remaining the primary concern.
Ezpeleta also said ticket holders would be offered the chance to roll over their tickets to the rescheduled event.
Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation and Lusail International Circuit president Abdulrahman bin Abdullatif Al Mannai said local organisers respected and supported the decision, while thanking fans, teams and partners for their understanding.
FIM president Jorge Viegas also backed the move, saying the protection of riders, teams, officials and fans had to remain the priority given the situation in the region.
The rescheduling means the 2026 season will now conclude later than first planned, with Qatar becoming the penultimate round before the championship wraps up in Valencia at the end of November.
A collective groan was heard from the MotoGP paddock after learning that the longest season ever was now going to be even longer.
2026 MotoGP Calendar
 |
|||
|
Rnd
|
Date
|
Event
|
Circuit
|
| 1 |
01 Mar
|
Thai
|
Chang International Circuit
|
| 2 |
22 Mar
|
Brazil*
|
Autodromo Internacional Ayrton Senna
|
| 3 |
29 Mar
|
US
|
Circuit of the Americas
|
| 4 |
26 Apr
|
Spain**
|
Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto
|
| 5 |
10 May
|
France
|
Le Mans
|
| 6 |
17 May
|
Catalonia
|
Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
|
| 7 |
31 May
|
Italy
|
Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello
|
| 8 |
07 Jun
|
Hungary
|
Balaton Park Circuit
|
| 9 |
21 Jun
|
Czech
|
Automotodrom Brno
|
| 10 |
28 Jun
|
Netherlands
|
TT Circuit Assen
|
| 11 |
12 Jul
|
Germany
|
Sachsenring
|
| 12 |
09 Aug
|
GB
|
Silverstone Circuit
|
| 13 |
30 Aug
|
Aragon
|
MotorLand Aragon
|
| 14 |
13 Sep
|
San Marino
|
Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli
|
| 15 |
20 Sep
|
Austria
|
Red Bull Ring-Spielberg
|
| 16 |
04 Oct
|
Japan
|
Mobility Resort Motegi
|
| 17 |
11 Oct
|
Indonesia
|
Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit
|
| 18 |
25 Oct
|
Australia
|
Phillip Island
|
| 19 |
01 Nov
|
Malaysia
|
Petronas Sepang International Circuit
|
| 20 |
08 Nov
|
Qatar
|
Lusail International Circuit
|
| 21 |
22 Nov
|
Portugal
|
Autodromo Internacional do Algarve
|
| 22 |
29 Nov
|
Valencia
|
Circuit Ricardo Tormo
|
2026 MotoGP Championship Standings
|
||
| Pos | Rider | Points |
| 1 | P. Acosta | 32 |
| 2 | M. Bezzecchi | 25 |
| 3 | R. Fernandez | 23 |
| 4 | J. Martin | 18 |
| 5 | A. Ogura | 17 |
| 6 | B. Binder | 13 |
| 7 | F. Di Giannantonio | 12 |
| 8 | M. Márquez (Marc) | 9 |
| 9 | F. Morbidelli | 8 |
| 10 | F. Bagnaia | 8 |
| 11 | L. Marini | 6 |
| 12 | J. Zarco | 5 |
| 13 | E. Bastianini | 4 |
| 14 | D. Moreira | 3 |
| 15 | J. Mir | 3 |
| 16 | F. Quartararo | 2 |
| 17 | A. Rins | 1 |
| 18 | M. Viñales | 0 |
| 19 | T. Razgatlioglu | 0 |
| 20 | J. Miller | 0 |
| 21 | M. Pirro | 0 |
| 22 | A. Márquez (Alex) | 0 |
