MotoGP has officially extended its contract with Mobility Resort Motegi, ensuring the Japanese Grand Prix will remain part of the world championship calendar through at least 2030.
The announcement was made by Dorna Sports, the series’ commercial rights holder, reaffirming the sport’s long-standing commitment to one of its most historic and strategically significant venues.
Located in Tochigi Prefecture and owned by Honda, Motegi has hosted the Japanese round of MotoGP since 2004. Renowned for its technical layout, long straights, and heavy braking zones, the circuit remains a fan favourite and a cornerstone of the Asia-Pacific leg of the season. It also plays a key role for Japanese manufacturers, particularly Honda and Yamaha.
The 2025 Japanese GP is scheduled for September 26–28, serving as Round 17 of the season. While exact dates for the 2026–2030 editions are yet to be announced, the event traditionally takes place in late September as part of MotoGP’s Pacific tour.
Speaking about the extension, Tsuyoshi Saito, President, Honda Mobilityland Corporation, said, “We are very pleased to announce that we will be hosting MotoGP™ Japan at Mobility Resort Motegi in and after 2026. We would like to express our sincere gratitude towards Mr Carmelo Ezpeleta, Dorna Sports and everyone who has been a great support in extending this hosting contract.
“We will continue to aim for further development of motorcycle sports and sustainable event management. As we make the most of the rich natural environment of Motegi, we will keep working to present a Grand Prix that can be enjoyed by many more fans. In cooperation with local residents of Tochigi and Ibaraki prefectures and the town of Motegi and various government agencies, we hope to offer even more attractive Grand Prix events than before.”
Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of MotoGP Rights Holder Dorna Sports, added, “Japan is important for MotoGP. Motegi always puts on a fantastic show and is a point of reference on the calendar for its event organisation. Japanese MotoGP fans are incredibly knowledgeable and we’re very happy to confirm we’ll race with them until 2030.”
The extension of the Japanese GP aligns with MotoGP’s broader strategic moves in key markets. Earlier this year, a new venue was announced for the Grand Prix of Argentina starting 2026, while the German GP at Sachsenring has also been extended through 2031. These developments reflect Dorna’s focus on stability and growth across traditional and emerging markets.
Historically, Motegi has been pivotal in deciding championship battles. The circuit witnessed Marc Márquez clinch multiple world titles, while Honda and Yamaha celebrated milestone victories here. In recent seasons, Ducati has emerged as the dominant force, with Francesco Bagnaia and Jorge Martín winning the 2024 and 2023 races, respectively.
As the 2025 MotoGP season enters its summer break, Marc Márquez leads the riders’ standings with 381 points, enjoying a commanding 120-point lead over his brother Álex Márquez. Marc’s stellar run, featuring five consecutive main race wins and eleven sprint victories has also secured Ducati a dominant lead in the constructors’ championship with 430 points, well ahead of Aprilia and KTM.
The championship resumes with Round 13 at the Austrian Grand Prix on August 17, 2025, at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg. With the title race heating up and Ducati in control, the season’s final stretch promises high drama, especially with Motegi set to host a potentially decisive late-season showdown.
