MotoGP action at Motegi: The schedule for the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix
From 2 to 4 October, the MotoGP is visiting Japan. We have the schedule for the opening round of the Asia and Australia tour. Anyone wanting to follow the practice sessions and races live will have to get up early.
This article is an automatically generated English version. The
Am kommenden Wochenende findet in Motegi der Japan-GP statt
Foto: Gold & Goose
Am kommenden Wochenende findet in Motegi der Japan-GP statt
© Gold & Goose
Since 1999, the Motorcycle World Championship has been held at the Twin Ring circuit in the small Japanese town of Motegi. Between 2000 and 2003, there were two World Championship rounds in Japan. At that time, Motegi was known as the Pacific Grand Prix, whilst the Japanese Grand Prix was held at Suzuka. However, following Daijiro Kato’s fatal accident in 2003, that circuit was removed from the calendar and Motegi was declared the official Japanese Grand Prix.
The 4.8 km-long circuit can be used in three different configurations thanks to connecting sections. The MotoGP stars race the full circuit, which comprises eight right-hand and six left-hand bends.
Das Poster für den Japan-GP 2026
Foto: motogp.com
Das Poster für den Japan-GP 2026
© motogp.com
In 2025, Marc Marquez secured the MotoGP World Championship title early with two second-place finishes in Japan. His team-mate Pecco Bagnaia won both the Sprint and the Grand Prix last year.
The outlook for this year: Jorge Martin (Aprilia) heads to Japan as the championship leader. He currently holds a 12-point lead over Marc Marquez. Marco Bezzecchi is third – 42 points behind his Spanish team-mate.
Topic of the week
Spanish Grand Prix at the new Madring: track – hit or miss?
The people of Madrid had set their sights high for their city’s first Formula 1 World Championship race since 1981. But have the high expectations for the new Madring mixed-circuit track really been met?
TV Program
The Moto3, Moto2 and MotoGP classes will be competing in Japan. To ensure fans in Germany, Austria and Switzerland don’t miss a thing, they’ll need to get up early this coming weekend – there’s a seven-hour time difference to Central Europe to bear in mind. The MotoGP Sprint on Saturday begins as usual at 3 pm local time – 8 am CEST. Anyone wishing to watch the Moto3 race live on Sunday will have to get up as early as 4 am. The 24-lap MotoGP race starts at 7 am.
Schedule for the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix (CEST):
Friday, 2 October:
2.00 – 2.35 am (35 mins): Moto3, FP1
2.50 – 3.30 am (40 mins): Moto2, FP1
3.45 – 4.30 am (45 mins): MotoGP, FP1
6.15 – 6.50 am (35 mins): Moto3, Practice
7.05 – 7.45 am (40 mins): Moto2, Practice
8.00 – 9.00 (60 mins): MotoGP, Practice
Saturday, 3 October:
1.40 – 2.10 am (30 mins): Moto3, FP2
2.25 – 2.55 am (30 mins): Moto2, FP2
3.10 – 3.40 am (30 mins): MotoGP, FP2
3.50 – 4.05 am (15 mins): MotoGP, Qualifying 1
4.15 – 4.30 am (15 mins): MotoGP, Qualifying 2
5.45 – 6.00 (15 mins): Moto3, Qualifying 1
6.10 – 6.25 am (15 mins): Moto3, Qualifying 2
6.40 – 6.55 am (15 mins): Moto2, Qualifying 1
7.05 – 7.20 am (15 mins): Moto2, Qualifying 2
8.00 am: MotoGP Sprint (12 laps)
Sunday, 4 October:
2.40 – 2.50 am (10 mins): MotoGP, Warm-up
4.00 am: Moto3 race (17 laps)
5.15 am: Moto2 race (19 laps)
7.00 am: MotoGP race (24 laps)
Seen already?
Don't miss out on any highlights: The Speedweek newsletter, sent out twice a week, delivers the latest news, exclusive commentary and all the important dates from the world of motorsports - directly into your inbox
Highlight Videos
ServusTV Media Library
26. Sept. | 12:31 Min
22. Sept. | 3:57 Min
„Haben gezittert bis zur letzten Kurve"
20. Sept. | 4:01 Min
20. Sept. | 41:28 Min
Pedro Acosta: „Danke an alle Fans“
20. Sept. | 5:36 Min
20. Sept. | 3:52 Min
Quiles: „Es war toll, in Österreich zu fahren“
20. Sept. | 3:15 Min
Holgado & Alonso beantworten eure Fragen!
20. Sept. | 4:01 Min
MotoGP News
All News
Newest Articles
All ArticlesNew New New New
