MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix 2026: Circuit and Schedules
The upcoming 2026 Japanese Grand Prix will take place at the Mobility Resort Motegi, Motegi, Japan. It will feature several practice sessions, qualifying, the sprint, and the main race. The event will take place October 1-4, with several track changes to the circuit.
Several newcomer riders will aim to make an impact throughout the 2026 MotoGP season. The Aprilia team will look to challenge Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi in a battle for the 2026 world title.
Japanese Grand Prix 2026: Circuit Highlights and Race Details
The highly anticipated 2026 Japanese Grand Prix will feature a four-day event on the MotoGP calendar. It will mark the 16th round of the MotoGP 2026 calendar. The weekend will begin with practice sessions. On Saturday, the event will feature the qualifying round and the Sprint race. On Sunday, the event will feature the rider parade, the Grand Prix, and the after-flag sessions.
At Mobility Resort, Motegi will feature a challenging track that demands precision and consistency. With its stop-and-go nature, gear-shifting demands, and setup requirements, it is one of the most demanding circuits on the MotoGP calendar. Five more events will remain on the 2026 MotoGP calendar after the Japanese Grand Prix.
Event Details for Japanese Grand Prix 2026
Race
Details
Main Event
Japanese Grand Prix 2026
Date
October 2-4, 2026
Venue
Mobility Resort Motegi, Motegi, Japan
Previous MotoGP Rivalries and Key Battles
Pedro Acosta finished in first place for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing. He has returned to a winning streak in the MotoGP championship. He recorded a winning time of 42:16.996 and earned 25 points. Jorge Martin earned second place for Aprilia Racing. He recorded 20 points and finished 1.017 seconds behind the winner. His teammate Marco Bezzecchi finished in third for Aprilia Racing and earned 16 points.
Ai Ogura and Marc Marquez finished in fourth and fifth for Trackhouse MotoGP Team and Ducati Lenovo Team, respectively. Ogura earned 13 points, while Marquez earned 11 points at the previous race. Brad Binder and Francesco Bagnaia overtook Brad Binder, who finished sixth for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing. Bagnaia earned seventh for the Ducati Lenovo Team and earned nine points. Fermin Aldeguer and Fabio Di Giannantonio finished eighth and ninth for BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP and Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team. Aldeguer earned eight points, while Giannantonio earned seven points.
Johann Zarco was overtaken by Enea Bastianini, and he finished tenth for Castrol Honda LCR. Bastianini finished 11th for Red Bull KTM Tech3 and earned five points. Raul Fernandez finished 12th for the SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team. He earned four points in the previous race. Takaaki Nakagami and Luca Marini finished 13th and 14th, respectively, for Honda HRC Castrol. Nakagami earned three points, and Marini earned two points.
Diogo Moreira finished 15th for the Pro Honda LCR team, and he earned only one point. He earned no points after finishing 16th for Red Bull KTM Tech3, Pol Espargaró. Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli finished 17th and 18th for Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP and Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing. Quartararo and Morbidelli earned zero points. Álex Rins finished 19th for the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team. Toprak Razgatlioglu and Jack Miller finished 20th and 21st, respectively, for Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP. Álex Márquez was the only rider to retire after suffering a crash in the main race. The upcoming Japanese Grand Prix will give riders another chance to build on their previous performances and avoid DNFs.
MotoGP 2026 Japanese Grand Prix: Mobility Resort Motegi
The Mobility Resort Motegi was established in 1997, and it first hosted the MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix in 1999. The venue was renamed in March 2022 and represents nature and mobility. The circuit features heavy braking zones and technical corners on the track.
The circuit has several features, including braking zones, high braking demands, high thermal stress, and a crucial stopping point. Mobility Resort Motegi is known for its heavy braking zones, which provide a significant challenge for MotoGP riders. It also features low-speed hairpins and strong corner stability.
Circuit Length
4.8 km
Total Distance
115.22 km
Number of Laps
24
Francesco Bagnaia finished in first place for the Ducati team last year. This time, which rider will claim a win at the upcoming race?
Francesco Bagnaia also set the fastest lap record, recording a time of 1:44.412 on lap 2. The average speed at Mobility Resort Motegi typically ranges from 165.5 km/h to 166.5 km/h. Who will take a triumph at the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix?
Live Stream for the Japanese Grand Prix 2026
In Italy, the MotoGP race will be live-streamed on Sky Sport MotoGP. The event will also air on NOW, with live coverage of every practice, qualifying session, and the main Grand Prix. Other streaming options include TV8 live free-to-air television and highlights for other main events.
Fox Sports 1 (FS1) and Fox Sports 2 (FS2) will air the MotoGP race in the United States. This platform will provide a full replay, qualifying sessions, and highlight packages.
Kayo Sports or Foxtel will broadcast the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix in Australia. In addition, the event will be aired on MotoGP Video Pass, which offers live coverage and timing passes for all sessions.
In France, Canal+ will broadcast the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix. This platform will show all practice sessions, the sprint race, and the Grand Prix.
DF1 / ServusTV On / Red Bull TV will carry the MotoGP race in Germany. This platform will give Sky Sport, which holds the primary pay-TV broadcast rights.
Fans in Turkey can watch the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix on S Sport+ and MotoGP Video Pass. This platform will provide every practice, qualifying session, sprint, and Grand Prix.
DAZN will air the MotoGP race in Spain. This platform will show every practice, qualifying session, sprint, and main race.
SuperSport will air the Japanese Grand Prix for viewers in South Africa. The MotoGP 2026 calendar will conclude with several riders’ impact on their team reputations.
FanCode will broadcast the MotoGP race in India. Other streaming options, like Eurosport, offer complementary or select live TV in the MotoGP races.
MotoGP Schedule for the Japanese Grand Prix 2026
October 01, 2026 (Thursday)
Event
Session
Local Time
MotoGP™
GearUp
15:30-16:00
MotoGP™
Pre-Event Press Conference
16:00-16:30
October 02, 2026 (Friday)
Event
Session
Local Time
Moto3™
Free Practice Nr. 1
09:00-09:35
Moto2™
Free Practice Nr. 1
09:50-10:30
MotoGP™
Free Practice Nr. 1
10:45-11:30
Moto3™
Practice
13:15-13:50
Moto2™
Practice
14:05-14:45
MotoGP™
Practice
15:00-16:00
October 03, 2026 (Saturday)
Event
Session
Laps
Local Time
Moto3™
Free Practice Nr. 2
08:40-09:10
Moto2™
Free Practice Nr. 2
09:25-09:55
MotoGP™
Free Practice Nr. 2
10:10-10:40
MotoGP™
Qualifying Nr. 1
10:50-11:05
MotoGP™
Qualifying Nr. 2
11:15-11:30
Moto3™
Qualifying Nr. 1
12:45-13:00
Moto3™
Qualifying Nr. 2
13:10-13:25
Moto2™
Qualifying Nr. 1
13:40-13:55
Moto2™
Qualifying Nr. 2
14:05-14:20
MotoGP™
Tissot Sprint
12 Laps
15:00
October 04, 2026 (Sunday)
Event
Session
Laps
Local Time
MotoGP™
Warm Up
09:40-09:50
MotoGP™
Rider Parade
10:00-10:40
Moto3™
Race
17 Laps
11:00
Moto2™
Race
19 Laps
12:15
MotoGP™
Grand Prix
24 Laps
14:00
MotoGP™
After the Flag
15:20-15:50
MotoGP™
Sunday Press Conference
15:50-16:30
MotoGP 2026: Updated Riders’ Standings
Position
Rider
Team
Points
Wins
Podiums
1
Jorge Martin
Aprilia Racing
306
1
7
2
Marc Marquez
Ducati Lenovo Team
294
5
5
3
Marco Bezzecchi
Aprilia Racing
264
4
9
4
Pedro Acosta
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
234
1
6
5
Fabio Di Giannantonio
Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team
230
1
4
6
Ai Ogura
SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team
222
1
4
7
Raul Fernandez
SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team
203
1
4
8
Alex Marquez
BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP
158
1
2
9
Francesco Bagnaia
Ducati Lenovo Team
156
0
4
10
Fermín Aldeguer
BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP
115
0
1
11
Luca Marini
Honda HRC Castrol
98
0
0
12
Enea Bastianini
Red Bull KTM Tech3
97
0
0
13
Brad Binder
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
94
0
0
14
Diogo Moreira
Pro Honda LCR
65
0
0
15
Fabio Quartararo
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team
61
0
0
16
Franco Morbidelli
Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team
56
0
0
17
Johann Zarco
Castrol Honda LCR
45
0
0
18
Joan Mir
Honda HRC Castrol
33
0
0
19
Jack Miller
Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP
28
0
0
20
Alex Rins
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team
24
0
0
21
Toprak Razgatlioglu
Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP
18
0
0
22
Maverick Viñales
Red Bull KTM Tech3
10
0
0
23
Iker Lecuona
BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP
9
0
0
24
Augusto Fernandez
Yamaha Factory Racing
6
0
0
25
Pol Espargaro
Red Bull KTM Tech3
5
0
0
26
Takaaki Nakagami
Honda HRC Castrol
3
0
0
27
Cal Crutchlow
Castrol Honda LCR
0
0
0
28
Jonas Folger
Red Bull KTM Tech3
0
0
0
29
Lorenzo Savadori
SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team
0
0
0
30
Michele Pirro
BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP
0
0
0
MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix: Previews
Pedro Acosta
Pedro Acosta is a strong contender in MotoGP. He had consistent performances throughout the 2026 MotoGP season. Acosta finished in first place for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing in the most recent race. He delivered strong performances in every practice and the Grand Prix race.
Acosta returned after crashing out while leading Saturday’s sprint. He suffered a crash during the sprint session but bounced back with a Grand Prix victory. He struggled in a single-lap time attack in the qualifying. Pedro Acosta will look to maintain his winning streak with another victory at the upcoming race.
Jorge Martin
Jorge Martin displayed strong potential to compete at the front throughout the MotoGP 2026 season. He finished second for the Aprilia Racing team in his most recent race. Marti secured pole position in qualifying. He reclaimed the championship lead in the previous race.
His teammate Marco Bezzecchi finished third at the 2026 Austrian Grand Prix. This victory strengthened his position in the 2026 MotoGP championship standings. The Aprilia Racing team will continue to support both riders throughout the season. Jorge Martin will aim to make another win at the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix.
Alex Marquez
Alex Marquez is one of the leading challengers in MotoGP. He suffered in the latest event. Alex Marquez retired after crashing out at the Austrian Grand Prix. He struggled with poor form, which affected his championship standing. He made light contact with his Gresini Racing teammate, Fermín Aldeguer, as riders pushed for position alongside Fabio Quartararo.
Alex Marquez will aim to improve his pace and consistency in upcoming races. His brother, Marc Marquez, is also among the top contenders and will compete in the upcoming races.