Bharat GP Dropped from 2026 MotoGP Calendar; Future Remains Uncertain

India's return to the MotoGP calendar has once again been delayed, with the country missing from the recently released provisional 2026 race schedule. This marks the third consecutive year that the Bharat GP will not be held at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida, raising concerns about the long-term viability of MotoGP in India.

The omission comes despite earlier assurances from Dorna Sports, the commercial rights holder of MotoGP, that the Indian round would return in the “early stages of 2026” following its absence in 2024 and 2025.

A Promising Start, Followed by Repeated Delays

India hosted its maiden MotoGP event — the Bharat GP — in September 2023, making it the first MotoGP race held in the country. The event was organised by Fairstreet Sports under a multi-year agreement. However, the race faced several logistical and financial hurdles, including weather-related challenges and delays in infrastructure readiness.

The 2024 edition of the race was subsequently cancelled due to the non-payment of hosting fees by Fairstreet Sports. In response, Dorna Sports terminated its agreement with the promoter and entered into a fresh three-year deal directly with the Uttar Pradesh government in early 2024. The state then issued a tender to identify a new promoter, but the initial tender was later withdrawn and reissued in September 2024.

Dropped Again, Despite 2026 Assurances

When Dorna dropped India from the 2025 calendar, it reiterated its commitment to returning in 2026. However, the 2026 provisional calendar released this week does not feature India, indicating unresolved concerns behind the scenes. The exact reasons for the non-inclusion have not yet been made public.

With India now absent from three consecutive MotoGP seasons — 2024, 2025, and 2026 — the prospects of the sport returning in 2027 or later remain uncertain.

Growing Doubts About Future Editions

While the debut edition of the Bharat GP was seen as a landmark moment for Indian motorsports, the repeated exclusions have cast doubt on the long-term future of MotoGP in the country. Industry insiders point to operational challenges, inconsistent promoter arrangements, and concerns over infrastructure preparedness as likely contributing factors to India’s exclusion from the championship calendar.

MotoGP, a premier two-wheeler racing series, is seen as crucial to boosting motorsports culture and infrastructure in India — one of the world's largest two-wheeler markets. However, sustaining such a global event requires reliable organization, stable partnerships, and timely execution — areas where India appears to be falling short.

Dorna Sports is expected to issue a statement in the coming weeks clarifying India’s status for future race seasons.