The MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix returns to the Circuito de Jerez-Ángel Nieto on 26 April 2026, marking the fifth round of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship. One of the most iconic fixtures on the calendar, the Spanish Grand Prix draws hundreds of thousands of passionate fans to Andalusia each year and has been a staple of grand prix motorcycle racing since 1987. With championship leader Marco Bezzecchi in scintillating form and defending world champion Marc Márquez looking to recover ground, Jerez promises another thrilling weekend of two-wheel racing.
What is the MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix?
The Spanish Grand Prix is a round of the FIM MotoGP World Championship, the premier class of motorcycle road racing. Held annually at the Circuito de Jerez-Ángel Nieto in southern Spain, it is one of the longest-running fixtures on the calendar and traditionally marks the start of the European leg of the season. The race weekend features three classes of racing: Moto3, Moto2, and the headline MotoGP class. Saturday includes qualifying sessions and the MotoGP Sprint Race, a shorter-format race introduced in 2023, while Sunday hosts the main grands prix for all three categories.
When is the MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix?
The 2026 Spanish Grand Prix takes place over three days from Friday 24 April to Sunday 26 April. Free practice sessions begin on Friday morning, with qualifying and the MotoGP Sprint Race held on Saturday afternoon. Sunday’s schedule features the MotoGP warm-up at 09:40 local time (CEST), followed by the Moto3 race at 11:00, the Moto2 race at 12:15, and the main MotoGP Grand Prix at 14:00 CEST. That translates to 13:00 BST for UK viewers and 08:00 ET for those watching in the United States.
Where is the MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix?
The race takes place at the Circuito de Jerez-Ángel Nieto, located just outside the city of Jerez de la Frontera in the Andalusia region of Spain. The circuit opened on 8 December 1985 and was renamed in May 2018 in honour of the legendary Spanish motorcyclist Ángel Nieto, who won 13 world titles before his death in 2017. The track measures 4.428 kilometres in length and features 13 turns on its motorcycle racing layout, with a longest straight of 607 metres. Set in a sun-drenched valley, the venue benefits from consistently warm spring weather and can accommodate up to 125,000 spectators across its grandstands and general admission areas.
Key Contenders
Marco Bezzecchi arrives at Jerez as the man to beat. The Italian Aprilia rider has won five consecutive grands prix heading into the Spanish round and leads the 2026 championship on 81 points, four clear of team-mate Jorge Martín. Aprilia has scored back-to-back 1-2 finishes and appears to have the strongest overall package in the early part of the season. Pedro Acosta, the young Spaniard riding for KTM, sits third on 60 points and will be desperate to perform in front of a home crowd. Defending world champion Marc Márquez, who sealed his ninth world title on the Ducati in 2025, has endured a difficult start to his title defence. The Ducati Desmosedici GP26 has struggled with rear tyre degradation in race conditions, leaving Márquez fifth in the standings on 45 points, 36 behind Bezzecchi. Fabio Di Giannantonio (VR46 Ducati, 50 points) has also been impressive and rounds out the top-four contenders to watch.
How to Watch
In the United Kingdom, TNT Sports holds the exclusive rights to MotoGP in 2026, with every session broadcast live. Streaming is available through HBO Max, which replaced Discovery+ as the TNT Sports streaming platform from March 2026. A TNT Sports subscription costs £30.99 per month. In the United States, live coverage is available on truTV and through the B/R Sports add-on on Max, which also carries Moto2 and Moto3 races. Cable-cutters in the US can access truTV via YouTube TV, Hulu+ Live TV, or Sling TV. For global viewers, the official MotoGP VideoPass provides live and on-demand coverage of every session for €199.99 per year, with a VideoPass + TimingPass option available at €209.99. In Spain, the race is broadcast on DAZN. In Australia, coverage is available through Fox Sports and Kayo.
History and Records
The Spanish motorcycle Grand Prix has been held at Jerez since 1987, making the 2026 edition the circuit’s 39th hosting of a world championship round. Valentino Rossi holds the record for the most premier-class victories at the venue with six wins between 2002 and 2016. Marc Márquez, Francesco Bagnaia, and Dani Pedrosa share the next spot with three wins apiece. The race lap record stands at 1:37.349, set by Álex Márquez on a Ducati during the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix. The circuit itself is named after Ángel Nieto, who won 11 grand prix races at Jerez across the smaller displacement classes, the most by any individual rider at the venue across all categories.
Tickets and Attendance
Tickets for the 2026 MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix are available through the official Circuito de Jerez website. Three-day general admission (Pelouse) passes start from €69, offering access to natural grandstand viewing areas with large-screen coverage. Grandstand tickets providing reserved seating with weather protection are available at higher price points, while VIP packages include paddock access and hospitality lounge entry. The Spanish Grand Prix regularly attracts over 200,000 spectators across the weekend, with 2025 drawing a reported 224,000 fans. Early booking is strongly recommended as popular areas sell out well in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix start?
The race weekend runs from Friday 24 April to Sunday 26 April 2026. The main MotoGP race starts at 14:00 CEST (13:00 BST, 08:00 ET) on Sunday 26 April.
Where is the MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix held?
The race takes place at the Circuito de Jerez-Ángel Nieto, located near Jerez de la Frontera in the Andalusia region of southern Spain.
How can I watch the MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix?
In the UK, live coverage is on TNT Sports and HBO Max. In the US, watch on truTV or through the B/R Sports add-on on Max. Globally, MotoGP VideoPass streams every session live.
Who won the MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix last year?
Álex Márquez won the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez, riding a Ducati Desmosedici GP24. He also set the current race lap record of 1:37.349 during that event.