MotoGP reveals dates for 2026 pre-season testing

The 2026 season of MotoGP is starting to take shape. Following the announcement of the Season Launch scheduled for Kuala Lumpur on February 6 and 7, the winter testing calendar is now complete.

As per tradition, the Shakedown Test will kick off at the end of January at the Sepang International Circuit, reserved for test drivers, rookies, and manufacturers with concessions. It will be the first official start before the major deployment of forces a few days later.

From February 3rd to 5th, Sepang will then host the entire MotoGP field for three intense days of riding, leading up to the official season launch in Kuala Lumpur. The Malaysian capital is preparing for two days of entertainment and media events centered around the teams and riders, in an atmosphere that is always highly anticipated.

The final stage before the championship kicks off is the Buriram test, on February 21 and 22, at Thailand's Chang circuit. This will be the final dress rehearsal before the lights go green for the first round of the year.

The complete winter testing program:

Shakedown Test (Sepang): January 29 – 31
Sepang Test: February 3 – 5
Season Launch (Kuala Lumpur): February 6 – 7
Buriram Test: February 21 – 22

Finally, it's worth noting that the focus will turn to the traditional post-season test on the Tuesday following the 2025 finale in Valencia. This will be the first opportunity to discover the driver changes, new machines, and new recruits that will make up the 2026 grid.

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