MotoGP is present process a serious transformation following Liberty Media’s buy of an 84% stake within the sequence’ rightsholder Dorna Sports activities. Whereas the precise day-to-day administration of MotoGP stays within the fingers of the Ezpeleta household, Liberty will be capable to affect MotoGP’s strategic course – and doubtlessly assist take the sequence to new heights.
Liberty’s expertise in world sports activities and leisure, most notably by Components 1 and Dwell Nation (now spun off), makes the American media firm nicely positioned to supervise one other worldwide championship.
F1 circuit promoters have loved improved fortunes underneath Liberty’s stewardship, with report ticket gross sales boosting revenues and making races extra financially viable. It stays to be seen how circuits internet hosting MotoGP races also can profit from the media large’s experience.
MotoGP’s calendar now rivals F1’s in measurement, with the 2026 season that includes a record-equalling 22 races. Nonetheless, one key distinction between the 2 championships is the internet hosting charge, with MotoGP nonetheless charging a fraction of its bigger sibling.
Whereas this makes MotoGP extra accessible, the prices stay vital, that means it’s critical that internet hosting a grand prix stays a financially enticing proposition for circuits, with or with out authorities assist.
The Sepang Worldwide Circuit has been internet hosting the Malaysian Grand Prix yearly since 1999 and has established itself as a well-liked venue for each riders and followers. Sepang’s place can be important proper now, as it’s in the midst of negotiating a brand new contract with Dorna for 2027 and past.
Like a number of long-standing MotoGP venues, it faces rising strain to justify internet hosting prices in an evolving business panorama, however a brand new deal is anticipated to be closed initially of the yr.
Sepang Circuit Environment
Photograph by: Srinivasa Krishnan
Sepang CEO Azhan Shafriman Hanif believes that rising MotoGP would require a collective effort, and all stakeholders have to do extra to convey followers nearer to the game.
“I believe there are plenty of elements that may be additional improved,” Shafriman instructed Motorsport.com. “All of it begins with us because the promoter. In fact, Dorna, the group, the riders and so forth might want to play an even bigger function in creating sports activities and reaching out to the youthful generations.
“I do consider that we have now an excellent product in MotoGP. What must be higher is we have to open up extra entry to the followers, to the spectators that come over in order that they will expertise the money-can’t-buy expertise that they will get once they come over to Sepang.”
For any circuit promoter, bringing extra followers by the gates is the final word purpose. Nonetheless, Shafriman acknowledges that MotoGP’s attain should lengthen past those that are capable of attend a grand prix in particular person.
MotoGP’s season launch occasion, the second version of which can happen in Kuala Lumpur subsequent month, is already an instance of how MotoGP is trying to attach with followers exterior the circuit.
“There are one or two concepts that I floated to Dorna,” he stated. “Hopefully, we are able to convey one thing new, one thing contemporary, one thing that we have now not seen earlier than in MotoGP.
“One of many issues that we mentioned is principally how can we get folks that can’t come over to the circuit to look at MotoGP. In fact, they’ve TVs at residence. They’ve all of the channels that they will view when it comes to the race itself.
“However I suppose we have to create extra experiences exterior of the circuit in order that for these followers that might not come over as a result of a number of causes and so forth can comply with MotoGP and watch them [races].”
Derek Chang, Liberty Media chief government
Photograph by: Alberto Crippa
When Liberty first acquired F1, it laid out its intention to show every grand prix right into a Tremendous Bowl-style occasion. The concept was clear: a race weekend ought to be about extra than simply motorsport itself.
Sepang agrees with Liberty’s imaginative and prescient, believing it’s vital to cater to the curiosity of informal followers that assist make up the numbers.
“I suppose the game now must increase [to be] extra than simply the game. It wants to come back with leisure,” Shafriman stated.
“I do consider that bringing live shows, [marketing] activations and actions surrounding the occasion would assist the game to realize extra followers that aren’t hardcore followers of motorsports,” he stated.
“However these are the issues that I believe each Dorna and SIC would want to look into.”
Past MotoGP, Sepang can be pursuing a longer-term imaginative and prescient to develop the circuit right into a broader vacation spot. Already, a number of circuits around the globe home factories and different amenities, however Sepang desires to increase to different areas exterior of motorsport.
It’s an method that might enchantment to different MotoGP venues as nicely, particularly circuits that personal giant areas of undeveloped land round their amenities.
“Effectively, I’ve huge plans for the circuit itself. In the meanwhile, we’re trying on the five-year and the 10-year plan, the mid-term and the long-term plan for Sepang,” he stated.
“We’re speaking to a number of traders to come back in and to place of their belongings right here.
“We’ve enormous land right here to farm out. And hopefully, traders can are available in and principally construct the ecosystem across the circuit in order that we are able to create this place as a hub for motorsports and likewise leisure.
“Not solely motorsports. There may be another points of interest like lodges or theme parks, in order that when folks come right here, they do not simply come right here for the motorsports occasion, they will do different issues like retail and so forth.”
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