Bad news for MotoGP fans in India. The 2026 provisional calendar does not feature the Indian Grand Prix. This was a bit of a rude shock for many, as Dorna, the exclusive commercial rights holder of MotoGP, had earlier confirmed the championship would return to India in 2026. In 2025, the Indian Grand Prix was slotted in the calendar, but due to “operational circumstances,” Dorna has not revealed the reason why the Indian Grand Prix was dropped from the 2026 calendar.
MotoGP: Start, stutter Indian Grand Prix
MotoGP made its debut in India in 2023 and in record time, as it had several organisational hurdles and management snags, yet the show went on successfully. Despite the stifling heat, many MotoGP riders were pleasantly surprised by the setup at the Buddh International Circuit.
In 2024, the Indian Grand Prix was cancelled due to an unpaid hosting fee from the promoter, Fairstreet Sports, to Dorna. At that time, the official statement from Dorna was, “Following advice from the Government of Uttar Pradesh as the state continues its long-term commitment to MotoGP, the sport will return to Buddh International Circuit in March 2025, when weather conditions are expected to be optimal for spectators and riders alike.”
In 2025, after a lot of finger-pointing and he-said-she-said, Fairstreet Sports was removed from the scene, and Dorna signed a 3-year contract with the Uttar Pradesh Government. After signing the deal, a month later, MotoGP postponed the race to 2026. The official statement read, “Operational circumstances have obliged the event to be delayed from its initial slot near the start of the 2025 calendar. With no available dates towards the end of the season, MotoGP will therefore return to India in the early stages of 2026.” Unfortunately, since then, no MotoGP race has taken place at the former Formula 1 track.
MotoGP 2026 Calendar: New additions
The 2026 MotoGP season will host the Brazil Grand Prix, as it will be hosted by Goiania, the capital of Goias. It is the second round race that will take place from March 20 to 22nd. There are also some changes in the dates, as the Austrian Grand Prix will take place in September, while the Brno race in the Czech Republic will be moved up to June.
