MotoGP 2026 schedule no longer includes India
MotoGP is set to make a comeback to India in the early stages of 2026, according to a statement from Dorna, the rights holder of the MotoGP series. The Indian Grand Prix will take place at the Buddh International Circuit, as confirmed by Dorna and InvestUP.
However, the Indian Grand Prix's return to the MotoGP calendar has been a long-awaited and tumultuous journey. The race was initially removed from the 2026 calendar due to "operational circumstances," which included past financial difficulties with the local promoter and logistical challenges.
The Indian Grand Prix made its debut in 2023 at the Buddh International Circuit, but it faced several issues. The 2023 race was shortened due to extreme heat and had moderate attendance. The 2024 event was canceled because the local promoter, Fairstreet Sports, failed to pay hosting fees, compounded by logistic problems from a general election.
Despite a contract for a multi-year return being signed with the Uttar Pradesh government after Fairstreet Sports was removed, the event was postponed from early 2025 to 2026 and then removed from 2026's calendar without a clear alternative date.
Regarding its expected return, there is currently no confirmed date for when the Indian Grand Prix will be back on the MotoGP calendar. The ongoing absence in 2024, 2025, and now 2026 raises concerns about the event's future, with no official statement specifying a return beyond 2026.
The MotoGP season will begin with the Thailand GP on February 27, 2025. It remains unclear why the Indian GP was dropped from the 2025 calendar and the reasons for its return to the calendar in 2026 are not explicitly stated in the provided information.
The Buddh International Circuit received praise from riders despite the heat challenge during the India round in 2023. The track in India earned praise from riders, making the delay in its return all the more perplexing.
The Indian Grand Prix's absence from the MotoGP calendar has been followed by other motorsport events that failed to create the right impact, such as Formula 1 (2011-2013) and Formula E (2023). MotoGP's promoter, Dorna, has not released a statement on why the Indian GP was dropped from the calendar.
In the meantime, MotoGP fans in India will have to wait for further updates on the Indian Grand Prix's return. The commitment to making the event a world-class event remains, as stated by Dorna and InvestUP, but the uncertainty surrounding its future casts a shadow over the excitement of its anticipated return.
[1] India's MotoGP return in doubt [3] MotoGP: Indian GP drops out of 2026 calendar [5] MotoGP: Indian Grand Prix cancelled for 2024
[1] Despite the excitement surrounding MotoGP's comeback to India in 2026, the future of the Indian Grand Prix remains uncertain, as it was recently dropped from the 2026 calendar without a clear alternative date.
[3] Amidst the continuous delay in the Indian Grand Prix's return to the MotoGP calendar, motorsports enthusiasts in India are eagerly following the narratives of races like Formula 1 and Formula E, which also struggled to gain traction in the country.
