MotoGP Qatar GP 2026 Still Uncertain: Options on the Table

The fate of the Qatar Grand Prix on the MotoGP 2026 calendar remains up in the air. Despite a previous decision to postpone the race to November, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East mean the Losail round is far from guaranteed this year.

Earlier this year, the conflict between the United States and Iran forced sweeping changes to sporting schedules across the region. MotoGP had originally planned to travel to Qatar in April as round four of the season. For safety reasons, the race was moved to 8 November—a temporary solution that could still be revised.

Formula 1 faced a similar predicament. The Saudi Arabian and Bahrain Grands Prix were initially cancelled, though Bahrain was later relocated to Sepang, Malaysia, for early October. Meanwhile, the Qatar and Abu Dhabi rounds at the end of the year also remain uncertain.

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With Liberty Media now in charge of MotoGP, many expected a strategy similar to F1. However, Carlos Ezpeleta—a key figure behind MotoGP—told Motorsport that relocating the race is far from straightforward due to logistical hurdles.

“Being in the same family as F1 obviously brings this question to mind,” he said. “But the situations are different. We only have one race in the Middle East, and commercially, a season with 21 rounds instead of 22 is clearly sufficient.”

He also noted that Losail is the final round before returning to Europe, making it difficult to find a suitable alternative track. “We’re at a point where most European circuits are already occupied. I genuinely hope we can go there, and that’s our current focus.”

A final decision will be made by MotoGP Entertainment Group (formerly Dorna) at the end of this month. If November doesn’t materialise, the 2027 Losail round—expected to be one of the early races next season after Thailand—could also be at risk.