MotoGP has signed a new five-year deal to return to Brazil in 2026, marking the end of a two-decade absence from the country. The deal will see the Autódromo Internacional Ayrton Senna in Goiânia host a MotoGP round until at least 2030, with extensive renovations planned for the circuit to meet modern safety and infrastructure standards.
“We are very much looking forward to returning to Brazil. We have a good fanbase who we know are excited about this news, just as we’re eager to return to race for them again, and this new agreement also offers a fantastic opportunity to expand in a key market for the sport and our manufacturers”, Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of MotoGP rights holder Dorna Sports, said in a statement.
“Brazil is a global player and somewhere we have always believed deserves a space on our calendar. Working with the government of Goiás and Brasil Motorsport, who have an impressive and proven track record, is an opportunity we are very excited to take.”
MotoGP’s history with Brazil is long but sporadic. The Goiânia circuit previously hosted the races between 1987 and 1989 before the event moved to Interlagos in 1992. From 1995 until 2004, Rio de Janeiro’s Jacarepaguá circuit took over hosting duties, before MotoGP’s ties with Brazil came to a halt after 2004.
Ronaldo Caiado, Governor of Goiás, called the return of MotoGP a “historic landmark”. “Goiânia will be, for the next five years, the home of MotoGP in Brazil. We are working to ensure that the infrastructure and services provide an unforgettable experience for riders, teams, and fans.”
The track will have to undergo massive infrastructure upgrades, including expanded run-off areas and a revamped paddock, to secure homologation approval for MotoGP’s return.
Alan Adler, CEO of Brasil Motorsport, shared his confidence in the project’s success: “The Brasil Motorsport team has a history of working with major sports leagues and organizing major events.”
“Based on this experience, I am convinced that MotoGP will be a great success in Goiânia. We’ll have one of the most exciting sports events in the world together with entertainment attractions, strong brands, and enthusiastic fans. A mix that is guaranteed to be a success.”
The timing of MotoGP’s return to Brazil comes at a perfect time just when the series’ popularity in the South American country is on the rise. Brazil’s most prominent rider, Diogo Moreira, claimed his first Grand Prix win in 2023 and recently secured his first Moto2 podium at the final round of the 2024 season in Barcelona.
