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 realized.

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

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

The Harley-Davidson championship will alternate with MotoE, which in 2025 contains 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.

Though the roadmap for the brand new championship has but to be revealed, one confirmed spherical shall be on the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas, the place spectators loved a Harley-Davidson exhibition race earlier this 12 months.

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

In the USA, there may be already a contest referred to 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 solely unrelated to the American one.