It is now fully official: the Portuguese GP will remain in MotoGP until 2026, having renewed for two more seasons for the first time—following a period of uncertainty when its future on the calendar was at risk.
The Autódromo Internacional do Algarve made its MotoGP debut in 2020, initially as a contingency solution due to the pandemic. At the time, it marked the return of the Portuguese GP after an eight-year hiatus.
The circuit quickly proved to be ideal for the championship, not only from a competitive spectacle standpoint but also as a prime destination. The event has had a significant economic impact on the local area.
So far, the dates for the 2025 Portuguese GP have not been announced – an event for each the government support plays a key role . Pedro Machado, Secretary of State for Tourism, stated: ‘The MotoGP Grand Prix is one of the most visible sporting events in the world, reaching more than 200 territories and with a fanbase of more than 500 million. We are therefore talking about an event that has a unique ability to promote and project Portugal as a tourist destination and as an organizer of major sporting events. By supporting the organization of these initiatives, we are strengthening our country’s reputation and attractiveness and this is very important from the point of view of tourism. It also has an immediate economic impact on the regional economy, which is equally significant, since this is an event that attracts thousands of people over several days, including spectators and staff from the competing teams’.
From AIA side, the CEO Jaime Costa commented: ‘It’s a great source of pride to be able to continue having a MotoGP round at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve and to see the recognition of our effort and work, which has been going on since 2020. The Portuguese Grand Prix and our track, with its unique features on the calendar, are already a benchmark for riders and teams. The fact that we have signed a two-year contract allows us to look at the event in a completely different way, with a continuity of improvement in the spectator experience, in order to reach record numbers of visitors to our circuit and consequently to the country and region, emphasizing its economic added value for the territory. We are already working on the 2025 GP, so that will once again, be a unique event in Portugal’.
Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports, said: ‘We‘re very happy to announce that we will be racing in Portugal for at least another two years. Since we first went to the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, it has become a favourite for many fans and riders, and it’s easy to see why. Not only is it a beautiful place to race, but the event itself has improved every year, and we are very proud to be able to make such a positive economic, sporting and social impact on the area. We look forward to seeing our Portuguese fans again in 2025 and 2026’.