Invest UP, the Uttar Pradesh government organisation that fosters overseas investment in the state, and Dorna Sports, MotoGP’s commercial rights holder, have agreed on a new hosting deal to keep India on the racing calendar through at least 2027.
The agreement will see MotoGP return to the iconic Buddh International Circuit for the following three seasons. With a population of over 1.4 billion people and more than 200 million motorbikes on the road, India is an important worldwide market for MotoGP.
According to the contract, the Grand Prix of India, which was originally slated for September of this year, will return to the MotoGP schedule in 2025. The organisers had to postpone the event in May owing to operational issues.
India has established MotoGP viewership, with room to develop in the coming seasons. In 2023, MotoGP made its debut at the Buddh International Circuit, which is located outside of Delhi, where more than 100,000 people attended to see history being created.
Manoj Kumar Singh, Chief Secretary-cum-Infrastructure & Industrial Development Commissioner, Government of UP, said, “Bringing MotoGP to Uttar Pradesh not only elevates our state on the global sports stage but also catalyzes substantial economic growth across tourism, hospitality, and associated sectors. This event will magnetize visitors worldwide, spotlighting Uttar Pradesh’s prowess in hosting world-class sporting extravaganzas.”
Carmelo Ezpeleta, Chief Executive of Dorna Sports, said, “The inaugural Indian Grand Prix was a key success and brought an enormous amount of value to both MotoGP and our host region of Uttar Pradesh. India is an essential market for MotoGP, with a healthy, established audience for the racing, and one we know we can increase exponentially. There are also hundreds of millions of two-wheeled vehicles used across the country every day, making it vital for our manufacturers and for the sport itself thanks to MotoGP’s position as the pinnacle of two wheels.
“We’re very proud to work directly with the government of Uttar Pradesh to bring MotoGP™ back to India, and UP and Buddh International Circuit, for the next three seasons.”