The world of motorcycling is experiencing a major event: the return of the Grand Prix to Brazil! After a long absence, the city of Goiânia has been chosen to host the best riders in the world from 2026. A historic choice that takes fans back to the 80s and opens a new chapter for the championship. Meanwhile, Argentina is coming out …
After a 37-year absence, MotoGP will make its grand return to Brazil in 2026. Dorna Sports and the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) made the announcement official on Thursday, confirming that the Autodromo Ayrton Senna in Goiania will once again host a round of the motorcycle world championship. A five-year contract has been signed, covering the seasons 2026 to 2030 included.
The Goiania circuit, long 3,8 kilometers, was last used in Grand Prix motorcycle racing at the season finale 1989. At that time, it did not yet bear the name of Ayrton Senna, the Brazilian Formula 1 legend. The flowing and technical track, which runs dans le sens inverse des aiguilles d'une montre, had offered memorable races, notably the coronation ofEddie lawson in 1989.
During this historic race, Lawson won his fourth and final title in the 500cc class riding a Honda entered by Erv Kanemoto's private team. He was then the last driver of a satellite team to become world champion in the premier category before Valentino Rossi in 2001. History repeated itself in 2024, with Jorge Martin, crowned MotoGP champion with a satellite team Ducati.
The Goiânia International Racetrack Ayrton Senna awaits in 2026! 🙌
Brazil, get ready for the #MotoGP samba 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/cRkSZRoHVY
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) December 12, 2024
The Brazilian Grand Prix is scheduled to take place in March
Brazil has not hosted a MotoGP Grand Prix since 2004, when the Jacarepagua circuit in Rio de Janeiro was demolished in preparation for the 2016 Olympic Games. The last winner at that time was the Japanese Makoto Tamada, who was piloting a Honda satellite for Sito Pons' team, winning ahead of Max Biaggi et Nicky Hayden.
In 2026, Goiania will return to the MotoGP calendar with a race scheduled for March. This return marks an important moment for motorcycle fans in Brazil, who will finally experience the thrill of Grand Prix racing on home soil. With this five-year contract, MotoGP reaffirms its interest in emerging markets and historic locations of world motorcycling.
Carmelo Ezpeleta commented : " We are looking forward to returning to Brazil. We have a good fan base who we know are excited by this news, as we are eager to get back racing for them, and this new agreement also provides a fantastic opportunity to expand a key market for sport and our manufacturers. Brazil is a global player and we have always believed it deserved a place on our calendar. Working with the Government of Goiás and Brasil Motorsport, who have an impressive and proven history, is an opportunity we are very happy to seize. ».
The President of the FIM Jorge Viegas had shortly before announced the color as the exit of Argentina... " I think this will be the last Grand Prix in Argentina, and then, most likely, all the signs show that we will go to Goiânia in Brazil in 2026. ».
Le Argentine Grand Prix returned to the calendar of MotoGP in 2014, bringing South America back into the championship. However, it did not take place in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, nor this year due to organizational challenges. With the return of the Brazilian Grand Prix, MotoGP will continue to maintain a presence in the South American market.
