Latest news with #MotoGP
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
MotoGP in India dropped from 2026 calendar: All you need to know
Image Courtesy: X/MotoGP. India's wait to host a MotoGP race just got longer. The provisional 2026 calendar released by Dorna Sports , the commercial rights holder of MotoGP, does not feature the Indian Grand Prix . This notable absence stretches the event's hiatus to at least three consecutive years. India last hosted a MotoGP round in 2023 at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) in Greater Noida. Despite being part of the 2024 calendar, the race was cancelled and rescheduled to March 2025, citing extreme weather conditions experienced during the inaugural event. Later, it was pushed to 2026 due to 'operational circumstances.' But now, even that revised timeline appears in doubt. MotoGP 2026 Calendar. (Image: MotoGP/X). The Buddh International Circuit, once touted as a fresh addition to the global racing map, now finds itself in limbo. The recent exclusion raises fresh concerns about the long-term viability of MotoGP in India , despite a three-year agreement between Dorna and the Uttar Pradesh government to host races from 2025 through 2027. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Kia Carens Clavis first drive review: Game-Changer for electric MPVs? | TOI Auto The cancellation of the 2024 race was officially attributed to harsh weather conditions in the National Capital Region. The 2023 race, held in September, saw trackside temperatures nearing 40°C and humidity levels touching 80 percent. This year's cancellation was pegged on operational and logistical difficulties. With India now absent from the MotoGP calendar for 2024, 2025, and potentially even 2026, the question remains: when, or even if, the premier two-wheeled racing championship will return to the country. Stay tuned to TOI Auto for latest updates on the automotive sector and do follow us on our social media handles on Facebook, Instagram and X. Discover everything about the automotive world at Times of India .
Hindustan Times
7 hours ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
India dropped from MotoGP's 2026 calendar
MotoGP has released the provisional calendar for 2026, and the Indian GP is not on the list. The premier-class racing championship arrived in India in 2023 at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) for the inaugural Indian Grand Prix, but the same was postponed for the following years - 2024 and 2025 - for what was cited as 'operational circumstances." It now appears the championship will not be returning to India next year either. The Indian GP has been dropped from the 2026 MotoGP calendar for the third consecutive year, after the first and only race was held in 2023 at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida. No Indian Grand Prix On 2026 MotoGP Calendar The 2026 MotoGP season will kick off with the Thailand GP from February 27, 2025, followed by Brazil, USA, and Qatar. India was slated to be one of the contenders for the season opener next year, with the venue moved from Qatar due to its clash with the holy month of Ramadan. The cooler temperatures in February-March were considered more optimal to host the India round, given the scorching heat in September 2023 posed as a challenge for the riders, despite the track itself earning praise from the riders. Dorna has not released a statement on why the Indian GP was dropped from the calendar. Also Read : MotoGP Indian GP dropped from the 2024 calendar, will return in March 2025 MotoGP promoter Dorna had originally announced that India would return to the calendar in 2024, but the same was pushed to March 2025. The organisers cited 'weather concerns" as one of the reasons for the push. However, reports contradicted this claim, suggesting Fairstreet Sports, the Indian organisers of MotoGP Bharat, had not paid its dues to Dorna at the time. In response, Fairstreet Sports stated that Dorna was aware that payments would be delayed due to the General Elections in 2024. New 3-Year Deal Signed Between UP Govt. & Dorna However, there was a green light when the Uttar Pradesh government directly signed a new three-year deal with Dorna, ensuring the racing championship would come back to India. The UP government issued a tender to find a new race promoter in August last year, but the same was later recalled in September 2024. The last statement from Dorna on the Indian GP read, 'Operational circumstances have obliged the event to be delayed from its initial slot near the start of the 2025 calendar. With no available dates towards the end of the season, MotoGP will therefore return to India in the early stages of 2026. Both MotoGP and InvestUP are working hard to bring MotoGP back to Buddh International Circuit with a world-class event and are committed to confirming India as a destination for global sporting events." MotoGP's arrival and a rather quick departure from India join other motorsport events that arrived and failed to create the right impact. Previously, Formula 1 (2011-2013) and Formula E (2023) took place in India. Check out Upcoming Bikes In India. First Published Date:
Saudi Gazette
7 hours ago
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
Harbinger Group becomes first foreign owner in Saudi Pro League
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — U.S.-based Harbinger Group has officially become the first foreign owner of a Saudi Pro League club after completing a full acquisition of Al-Kholood FC, the Ministry of Sports announced. The move signals a new era of international investment in Saudi football. In a statement, Harbinger Group confirmed it had acquired 100% ownership of the club based in Al-Rass, which finished ninth in the 2024–25 Saudi Pro League season. The Ministry also revealed that two other clubs — Al-Ansar and Al-Zulfi — have been successfully privatized and transferred to new investors as part of Saudi Arabia's broader sports privatization strategy. Ben Harburg, the founder and managing partner of Harbinger Group, said the acquisition of Al-Kholood was a "tremendous honor," positioning the group as the first foreign entity to fully own a top-tier Saudi football club. "We are on the cusp of extraordinary growth under Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, especially with the Kingdom hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2034," Harburg said in a video statement shared by the Ministry. 'We believe football players are Saudi Arabia's greatest export to come.' On their journey to acquiring Al-Kholood Club Ben Harburg and Brian Wright Vias speak : — Ministry of Sport (@mosgovsa_en) July 24, 2025 "During our due diligence process, we reviewed multiple clubs, but Al-Kholood stood out due to its strong trajectory, passionate fanbase, and the dynamic Al-Qassim region." Brian Wright Vias, a senior member of Harbinger, described the acquisition as both a privilege and a great responsibility. 'We are grateful to the Ministry of Sports and to the Saudi people for this opportunity,' he said. 'Our goal is not to buy global stars, but to develop them — to build Saudi talent and make them global exports.' Unlike the Kingdom's four elite clubs — Al Hilal, Al Nassr, Al Ittihad, and Al Ahli — which are majority-owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and have attracted world-class players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Neymar, Al-Kholood currently does not field global superstars. But the new owners believe in long-term development. This milestone is part of the Saudi Ministry of Sports' privatization initiative, in collaboration with the National Center for Privatization. The program aims to foster private sector participation and enable clubs to become financially sustainable, talent-driven entities that contribute to the growing sports ecosystem. Since 2022, Saudi Arabia has significantly ramped up its investment in football, highlighted by Ronaldo's record-setting arrival and a wave of international signings, sponsorships, and global tournaments hosted across the Kingdom — from Formula 1 and LIV Golf to boxing, MotoGP, and the Spanish and Italian Super Cups. With the privatization of Al-Kholood, Al-Ansar, and Al-Zulfi, Saudi Arabia has taken a major step forward in transforming its domestic football landscape and welcoming international partnerships as part of Vision 2030's sports transformation goals.
Zawya
8 hours ago
- Automotive
- Zawya
Qatar: Lusail International Circuit to host MotoGP fest on April 12 next year
Doha: The Lusail International Circuit will once again reverberate with the sound of roaring engines when the regional motorsport hub hosts the 2026 MotoGP Grand Prix on April 12, organisers of the championship revealed yesterday. The 2026 MotoGP calendar features 22 thrilling Grands Prix across five continents, including four races in Asia, as the Lusail track gears up to host the sport's premier event for the 22nd time. Since 2004, the Lusail International Circuit has been an integral part of the MotoGP World Championship, often serving as the season opener under its iconic floodlights. The 5.4-kilometre-long circuit, which has provided thrilling night racing action since 2008, will be the fourth stop of the season, after Buriram in Thailand, Goiania in Brazil and Austin in the US. The 2026 MotoGP schedule marks Brazil's return to the calendar, replacing Argentina. The race at the Ayrton Senna Circuit in Goiania will be held on March 22, after the March 1 kickoff of the season at the Buriram Circuit. Brazil has previously hosted races between 1987 and 1989, while Argentina is set to organise a race again once a circuit is built near Buenos Aires. After the night lights of Lusail, the action moves to Jerez, Spain, marking the start of an exhilarating European leg. After the Jerez race on April 26, riders will compete in France (May 10: Le Mans), Spain (May 17: Catalonia), Italy (May 31: Mugello), Hungary (June 7: Balaton), Czech Republic (June 21: Brno), Netherlands (June 28: Assen), Germany (July 12: Sachsenring), Britain (August 9: Silverstone), Spain (August 30: Aragon), San Marino (September 13: Misano) and Austria (September 20: Spielberg). Action then moves to Asia again, for races in Japan (October 4: Motegi) and Indonesia (October 11: Mandalika). Australia will host the race at Phillip Island on October 25 before the riders travel to Sepang Circuit in Malaysia (November 1). The penultimate round will be held on November 15 in Portimao, Portugal, before returning to Spain for the season finale at Valencia (November 22). MotoGP 2026 schedule March 1: Buriram, Thailand March 22: Goiania, Brazil March 29: Austin, United States April 12: Lusail, Qatar April 26: Jerez, Spain May 10: Le Mans, France May 17: Catalonia, Spain May 31: Mugello, Italy June 7: Balaton, Hungary June 21: Brno, Czech Republic June 28: Assen, Netherlands July 12: Sachsenring, Germany August 9: Silverstone, Britain August 30: Aragon, Spain September 13: Misano, San Marino September 20: Spielberg, Austria October 4: Motegi, Japan October 11: Mandalika, Indonesia October 25: Phillip Island, Australia November 1: Sepang Malaysia November 15: Portimao, Portugal November 22: Valencia, Spain © Dar Al Sharq Press, Printing and Distribution. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
India Today
11 hours ago
- Automotive
- India Today
Indian Grand Prix dropped again from MotoGP calendar
In a disappointing turn of events, the Indian Grand Prix has been excluded from the provisional MotoGP 2026 season calendar, despite earlier assurances of its return. The calendar released by MotoGP has left many motorsport fans disappointed and raised questions about the future of the event at the Buddh International Circuit in Indian Grand Prix, which debuted in 2023 at the Buddh International Circuit, faced challenges from the outset. The inaugural race, held in September under swelteringly unbearable conditions, was shortened by three laps at the riders' request and drew only moderate attendance. The 2024 event was canceled due to financial difficulties faced by the local promoter, compounded by logistical issues following a general election in the 2023 Indian Grand Prix, Italy's Marco Bezzecchi of the Aprilia Racing Team emerged victorious, earning the full 25 points. His teammate, Jorge Martin, also representing finished in second place. Rounding out the podium was Yamaha Factory Racing's Fabio Quartararo, who secured third place and collected 16 points. Initially rescheduled for March 2025 to avoid adverse weather, the race was further postponed to 2026 due to operational circumstances, with the circuit designated as a reserve event for 2025. However, the latest calendar release on July 24, 2025, omits the Indian Grand Prix entirely, casting doubt on its long-term July 2024, Dorna Sports signed a three-year agreement with the Uttar Pradesh government to secure the event from 2025 to 2027, highlighting India's significance as a key market with a massive motorcycle culture. Despite this commitment, ongoing financial and organisational hurdles, including the replacement of former promoter Fairstreet Sports and a reissued tender for a new co-promoter, have derailed without further ado, the #MotoGP 2026 calendar is here! #MotoGP2026 MotoGP (@MotoGP) July 24, 2025The 2026 MotoGP calendar, released on July 24, 2025, introduces new races, such as the Brazil Grand Prix, and shifts existing ones, like the Hungarian Grand Prix moving to June. Meanwhile, the Buddh International Circuit's absence has sparked speculation about whether MotoGP will ever return to India, given the market's potential but persistent logistical 2026 season of MotoGP will kick off on March 1st in Thailand. Meanwhile, it will conclude on November 22nd in and InvestUP, the Uttar Pradesh government's investment agency, have yet to comment on the reasons behind the 2026 exclusion. As fans await clarity, the Indian Grand Prix's future remains uncertain, leaving a void in one of the world's largest motorcycling to Auto Today Magazine- EndsMust Watch
