MotoGP: Brazilian Grand Prix to return in 2026 at the Goiânia International Racetrack Ayrton Senna

MotoGP will return to Brazil in 2026 after a five-year deal was agreed between Dorna, the government of Goiás, and Brasil Motorsport.

The Goiânia International Racetrack Ayrton Senna will be the destination, and returns to the calendar after hosting MotoGP from 1987-1989. The circuit was removed from the 1990 calendar due to organisational problems, before disappearing again in 1991 due to safety concerns regarding the circuit at that time.

Interlagos hosted a troublesome Brazilian Grand Prix in 1992 which was won by Wayne Rainey. MotoGP returned to the country in 1995, albeit under the Rio de Janeiro Grand Prix banner at the Autódromo Internacional Nelson Piquet, which is also known as Jacarepaguá.

The RioGP ran between 1995 and 1997, and then from 1999 to 2004. Winners of the premier class race include Luca Cadalora (1995), Mick Doohan (1996/1997), Norifumi Abe (1999), Valentino Rossi (2000-2003) and Makoto Tamada (2004).

The Goiânia International Racetrack Ayrton Senna is currently undergoing upgrades in order to be suitable for the return of motorcycle racing to Brazil.

“We are very much looking forward to returning to Brazil,” Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta said. “We have a good fanbase who we know are excited about this news, just as we’re eager to return to race for them again, and this new agreement also offers a fantastic opportunity to expand in a key market for the sport and our manufacturers.

“Brazil is a global player and somewhere we have always believed deserves a space on our calendar. Working with the government of Goiás and Brasil Motorsport, who have an impressive and proven track record, is an opportunity we are very excited to take.”

Argentina is currently the only South American country on the MotoGP calendar, however the event at the Termas de Rio Hondo was cancelled this year and remains doubtful for 2025.

Brazil isn’t represented on the MotoGP grid at the moment, however Diogo Moreira was crowned Moto2 Rookie of the Year this season. Alex Barros is the most-known motorcycle racer from Brazil having won seven premier class races and celebrated a total of 32 podiums during his extensive career inside the GP paddock (245 races). Barros also won one WorldSBK race in 2006.

Elsewhere, Eric Granado competes in the MotoE class, finishing third overall in 2019 and runner-up in 2022. He also won the 2017 FIM CEV Moto2 European Championship.

“The return of MotoGP to Goiás is a historical landmark for us,” Governor Ronaldo Caiado
said. “Goiânia will be, for the next five years, the home of MotoGP in Brazil. We are working to ensure that the infrastructure and services provide an unforgettable experience for riders, teams, and fans.”

Alan Adler, CEO of Brasil Motorsport, added:  “The Brasil Motorsport team has a history of working with major sports leagues and organising major events. Based on this experience, I am convinced that MotoGP will be a great success in Goiânia.

“We’ll have one of the most exciting sports event in the world together with entertainment attractions, strong brands and enthusiastic fans. A mix that is guaranteed to be a success.”