The 2027 MotoGP season will feature some major changes to the race weekend format as the series introduces a new on-track session.
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According to an announcement from the series, the new weekend format will introduce a qualifying session for the MotoGP Sprint. This will be separate from the actual race qualifying session, and it will create unique grids for the two separate weekend events.
Series organizers say that this "balances an incredible spectacle for fans and new stakes in each session with well-balanced track time for riders, teams, and factories."
New weekend format from 2027 🚨
Two grids. Two showdowns. One #MotoGP. Sprint qualifying arrives next season! 🏁🆕 pic.twitter.com/3gKQYna7pL
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) October 7, 2026
The current schedule features Free Practice No. 1, Practice, Free Practice No. 2, Qualifying No. 1, Qualifying No. 2, the Sprint Race, the Warm-Up, the Riders Parade, and the Grand Prix. These on-track sessions are spread over multiple days.
The updated race weekend format will begin with a 45-minute Free Practice 1. A 30-minute Free Practice 2 will then replace the previous Practice session. Both sessions will take place on the Friday of each weekend.
The Friday schedule will conclude with the 15-minute Sprint Qualifying that sets the starting lineup for Saturday's Tissot Sprint.
The Saturday schedule will begin with a 20-minute Free Practice 3. All riders will then take part in Qualifying No. 1. Twelve riders will advance to Qualifying No. 2 that sets the starting lineup for Sunday's Grand Prix.
The MotoGP Warm Up will move from Saturday after the Tissot Sprint. It will take place on Sunday ahead of the Grand Prix.
This new format will go into effect in 2027. For now, the teams will focus on the rest of the 2026 schedule, starting this weekend's Grand Prix of Indonesia.
The remaining rounds of the 2026 season will include the Grand Prix of Australia (Oct. 23-25), Grand Prix of Malaysia (Oct. 30-Nov. 1), Grand Prix of Qatar (Nov. 6-8), Grand Prix of Portugal (Nov. 20-22), and Grand Prix of Valencia (Nov. 27-29).
The 2027 MotoGP season will kick off with the Grand Prix of Thailand on March 5-7. This will mark the first opportunity for race fans to witness the new format in action.
