Harley-Davidson joins MotoGP race weekends in 2026

The promoters of the MotoGP World Championship have reached an settlement with Harley-Davidson to include a one-make championship into subsequent season’s grand prix calendar, Motorsport.com has discovered.

Whereas an official announcement and additional particulars are nonetheless to come back, the collection is anticipated to characteristic a calendar of as much as seven occasions, every consisting of two races.

It’s nonetheless unclear whether or not the brand new collection will likely be held beneath the umbrella of the Worldwide Motorcycling Federation (FIM), which might present broader publicity and recognition.

The Harley-Davidson championship will alternate with MotoE, which in 2025 encompasses a seven-round calendar, starting this weekend on the French Grand Prix. After Le Mans, the collection will go to the Netherlands, Austria, Hungary, Barcelona, Misano and Portimao, which can shut the season.

Learn Additionally:

Though the roadmap for the brand new championship has but to be revealed, one confirmed spherical will likely be on the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas, the place spectators loved a Harley-Davidson exhibition race earlier this yr.

In its inaugural season, the collection will embody roughly eight groups, every fielding two riders, making up a 16-bike grid. Every race weekend will include a single free observe session, a timed qualifying session to find out the beginning order, and two races – one on Saturday and the opposite on Sunday.

In america, there’s already a contest known as King of the Baggers, supported by each Harley-Davidson and fellow American producer Indian. It’s identified for the spectacle of its bikes, which retain their facet saddlebags, giving them a singular look. That championship additionally consists of seven occasions.

Nevertheless, the brand new worldwide collection – anticipated to be formally unveiled on Saturday – is totally unrelated to the American one.