Japan will launch the Asia‑Pacific segment of the 2026 MotoGP season on 2‑4 October with Motegi hosting the Japanese Grand Prix, comprising five races over six weeks.
Track & Competitor Preview
France’s Francesco Bagnaia dominated the 2025 Japanese GP in the factory Ducati, yet the circuit underwent a complete resurfacing since, erasing last year’s comparisons. The new asphalt still features the stop‑and‑go layout that favoured the Ducati’s power delivery, positioning Marc Márquez as the current frontrunner. KTM, meanwhile, is poised to capitalize on Motegi’s configuration after Pedro Acosta secured his maiden MotoGP victory at the Red Bull Ring.
Session Schedule & Local Timing
| Session | Start – End (JST) |
|---|---|
| Free Practice 1 | 10:45 – 11:30 |
| Practice | 15:00 – 16:00 |
| Session | Start – End (JST) |
|---|---|
| Free Practice 2 | 10:10 – 11:40 |
| Qualifying | 10:50 – 11:30 |
| Sprint | 15:00 – 15:30 |
| Session | Start – End (JST) |
|---|---|
| Race | 14:00 – 14:55 |
| Region | Session | Start – End (Local Time) |
|---|---|---|
| UK (BST) | Free Practice 1 | 02:45 – 03:30 |
| USA, Eastern (ET) | Free Practice 1 | 21:45 – 22:30 |
| Australia (AEST) | Free Practice 1 | 11:45 – 12:30 |
Full, day‑by‑day tables for Central European, Pacific, Indian, and other time zones are available on the event’s official information page, aligning each session with local viewing times.
Viewing Options
MotoGP’s own Video pass delivers on‑demand coverage of every session and real‑time highlights for an annual fee of €139.99. Local broadcasters also stream the races on their websites, providing additional live coverage options for fans worldwide.
With the circuit’s fresh surface and Ducati’s continued advantage, the field will test both speed and adaptability as the season’s attention shifts towards KTM’s strategic rise.
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