2025 Indian MotoGP 'postponed' to 2026

After reporting earlier today that rumours were jeopardising the organisation of the Indian MotoGP event in 2025, Dorna and the FIM officially confirmed this this afternoon in a press release.

The statement does not mention the words “cancelled” or “postponed” and instead states that the event will be “included in the 2026 FIM MotoGP calendar”. It is also confirmed that the Indian venue will be a reserve event for the championship’s 2025 season, although if the parties involved were unable to stage an event a year in advance, hopes of doing so in even shorter time are slim.

The full press release from FIM and Dorna reads:

“The FIM, IRTA and Dorna Sports confirm that the Indian Grand Prix will be included in the 2026 FIM MotoGP calendar, becoming a reserve event for 2025.

“Operational circumstances have required the event to be moved from its original slot to the start of the 2025 calendar. With no dates available towards the end of the season, MotoGP will therefore return to India in early 2026.

“MotoGP and InvestUP are working hard to bring MotoGP back to the Buddh International Circuit with a world-class event, and are committed to confirming India as a destination for global sporting events.

“Our collaboration with InvestUP to bring MotoGP back to India continues to lay a fantastic foundation for the future and MotoGP looks forward to racing in front of our incredible Indian fans as soon as possible.”

According to Autosport, the difficulties are due to a lack of financial support from a local investment agency linked to the region where the race is to be held. Invest UP (UP stands for Uttar Pradesh – the region in which the Buddh International Circuit is located) has taken over promotion of the event from Fairstreet Sports, which had promoted the inaugural event in 2023.

Even this first race at the former Indian F1 circuit was repeatedly questioned, and question marks hung over it in the days leading up to the Grand Prix. The event went ahead nonetheless, with Marco Bezzecchi winning for the VR46 team. The circuit was also widely praised by the riders, who appreciated the sweeping nature of the track and its changes in elevation. These compliments contrasted with reports made before the event, with the safety of the circuit having been called into question after an FIM safety inspection highlighted numerous concerns.

Marco Bezzecchi leads the 2023 MotoGP Indian Grand Prix. – The Gold and the Goose

The 2024 season has not fared any better for the Indian round of MotoGP, after the event, which was due to take place last weekend, was cancelled due to financial problems and poor weather in the region. The MotoGP circus remained at Misano, with a double-header in Rimini replacing the unlucky Indian round.

The 2025 edition of the event had already been postponed from its original September date to earlier in the year in hopes of cooler temperatures. Moving it earlier in the year would have meant the Indian round would have followed the Thai MotoGP season-opener in Buriram, which would have taken place from February 28 to March 2, 2025.