Marco Bezzecchi
MotoGP returns this weekend after a month-long break, as riders prepare to tackle the iconic Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto. Here’s everything you need to know about the Spanish Grand Prix, including the full schedule and how to watch.
Marco Bezzecchi heads into the weekend as the 2026 championship leader, having dominated the opening phase of the season. The Italian has been in outstanding form, winning the first three races after the originally scheduled Qatar Grand Prix was postponed to November due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Bezzecchi’s success has also propelled Aprilia to the top of the team standings. With 158 points, they hold a commanding 81-point lead over KTM and Trackhouse, who are currently tied on 77 points.
The paddock now arrives in Spain for the start of the European leg of the 2026 calendar, with Jerez hosting the next chapter of what is shaping up to be a highly competitive season.
Read More: MotoGP experts share Spanish Grand Prix predictions including Marc Marquez’s victory hopes at Jerez
Who is going to win the Spanish Grand Prix?
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When is the MotoGP 2026 Spanish Grand Prix, including full schedule
The 2026 MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix takes place from 24–26 April at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, with Sunday’s main race getting underway at 2pm local time. The race will run over 25 laps.
The Sprint race is scheduled for Saturday, 25 April, and will begin at 3pm local time. It will cover half the full race distance, with a total of 12 laps.
| Session | Date | Track time (CEST) | Start time (BST) | Start time (ACST) |
| Free Practice 1 | Friday 24 April 2026 | 10:45am – 11:30am | 9:45am – 10:30am | 6:15pm – 7pm |
| Free Practice 2 | Friday 24 April 2026 | 3pm – 4pm | 2pm – 3pm | 10:30pm -11:30pm |
| Free Practice 3 | Saturday 25 April 2026 | 10:10am – 10:40am | 9:10am – 9:40am | 5:45pm – 6:10pm |
| Qualifying 1 | Saturday 25 April 2026 | 10:50am – 11:05am | 9:50am – 10:05am | 6:20pm – 6:35pm |
| Qualifying 2 | Saturday 25 April 2026 | 11:15am – 11:30am | 10:15am – 10:30am | 6:45pm – 7pm |
| Sprint Race (12 laps) | Saturday 25 April 2026 | 3pm | 2pm | 10:30pm |
| Race (25 laps) | Sunday 26 April 2026 | 2pm | 1pm | 9:30pm |
How to watch the MotoGP 2026 Spanish Grand Prix
The 2026 MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix can be streamed via MotoGP’s Videopass. A subscription to the basic Videopass costs £26.13 (€29.99) a month or £174.27 (€199.99) a year, which gives fans access to live and on-demand races.
A small price upgrade to £28.74 (€32.99) monthly and £182.97 (€209.99) unlocks TimingPass, which gives subscribers access to real-time live data.
UK viewers can watch the MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix via a subscription to TNT Sports and Quest. A subscription to the streaming service, through Discovery+ costs £30.99 a month and gives viewers access to four live TV channels and a number of other streamed live sports.
Fans in Australia can watch MotoGP live on FoxSports via Kayo. The streaming platform, which also has broadcast rights to a number of motorsport series, including Formula 1, starts at $29.99 a month, and allows viewers access to over 50 sports live and on demand.
Free highlights of the 2026 MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix will be available on the MotoGP website and its YouTube channel after the race.
What is the weather forecast for the MotoGP 2026 Spanish Grand Prix?
The 2026 MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix is expected to be mostly dry and overcast, although there is a risk of rain on Friday and Saturday. Current forecasts suggest a 46% chance of light rain during Saturday’s Sprint race.
Temperatures are set to peak at around 27°C on Sunday, with a light easterly breeze blowing across the circuit. While conditions should remain dry at the start of the Grand Prix, the likelihood of rain is expected to increase later in the day.
Where is the MotoGP 2026 Spanish Grand Prix being held?
The MotoGP 2026 Spanish Grand Prix will be staged at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, in Jerez, Spain. The 4.428 km (2.751 mi) circuit has been a staple on the MotoGP calendar since 1989, although it held its maiden race in 1987.
In 2018, the track was renamed to pay tribute to the late motorcyclist Angel Nieto, who had died the year before. Nieto is the most successful rider around the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, taking 11 wins in both the 50cc and 125cc classes.
The circuit also pays tribute to two Spanish riders, with the final corner named after Jorge Lorenzo and most recently, Turn 6 was renamed for Dani Pedrosa.
Valentino Rossi is the most successful MotoGP rider around the iconic Spanish track, taking six wins in the class between 2002 and 2016.
| Fastest Lap | Alex Marquez (2025 -1:37.349) |
| Most wins (Rider – MotoGP) | x6 Valentino Rossi (2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2016) |
| Most wins (Manufacturer – MotoGP) | x10 Honda (2002, 2003, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019) |
Who won the MotoGP 2025 Spanish Grand Prix?
Alex Marquez secured his first-ever MotoGP victory at the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix, climbing from fourth on the grid to take the win. The Spaniard had opened the season with three consecutive second-place finishes before a P6 in Qatar, making this breakthrough result all the more significant.
The race also saw a shift in the title battle. After Marc Marquez crashed out early, Alex moved back into the lead of the 2025 MotoGP standings.
At the start, polesitter Fabio Quartararo held onto P1, while Francesco Bagnaia passed Marc Marquez for second. The two briefly fought before Marc lost the front at Turn 8 on lap four, dropping down the order.
Alex Marquez soon moved past Bagnaia into second, then made his decisive move on lap 11, outbraking Quartararo to take the lead at Jerez. From there, he controlled the race and pulled clear to claim a landmark victory.
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