Dutch Grand Prix 2026: How to watch, MotoGP race and qualifying times, and Assen weather forecast

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The iconic TT Circuit Assen welcomes MotoGP back for the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix this weekend, so here is all you need to know from how to watch to the weather forecast.

Assen is the Cathedral of Speed and a legendary place for MotoGP, having held races for the premier class since the inaugural 500cc season in 1949. Only once has Assen ever not made it onto a MotoGP calendar, which was a result of the series’ Covid-disrupted season in 2020.

Marco Bezzecchi of Aprilia will arrive at Assen leading the 2026 riders’ standings. But he has seen Ducati rival Marc Marquez creep ever more into play for the title after a tough last two rounds for the Italian, which included him being banned for last Sunday’s Czech Grand Prix.

The FIM banned Bezzecchi from the Czech GP after he hit a marshal who was recovering his bike after crashing out of the Sprint Race at Brno. His one-race suspension meant Bezzecchi had to watch as Marquez won the Czech GP and edged to 40 points behind in the standings.

MotoGP now heads on to Assen for the Dutch GP, where the series will also now introduce a ban on front ride height devices (also known as holeshot devices). The move followed Jorge Martin’s huge Turn 1 crash in Hungary, plus Johann Zarco’s serious knee injury in Barcelona.

With that in mind, MotoGP News takes a look at everything that you need to know ahead of the 2026 Dutch GP, including how to watch the on-track action from the legendary Assen…

What is your one bold prediction for the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix at Assen?

Is it a surprise winner? A shock podium? Or a horrendous result?

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When is the 2026 MotoGP Dutch Grand Prix? Full TT Circuit Assen race weekend schedule

The Dutch Grand Prix marks round 10 of the 2026 MotoGP season, and will take place from Friday, June 26 to Sunday, June 28. The Dutch GP at the TT Circuit Assen is also scheduled to run for a total of 26 laps, while the Sprint Race held on Saturday is scheduled for 13 laps.

How to watch the 2026 MotoGP Dutch Grand Prix live on TV in the UK, and where to find free highlights

TNT Sports is the exclusive home of live MotoGP coverage on TV in the UK, and will provide its normal race weekend coverage throughout the Dutch Grand Prix weekend. TNT Sports 2 will air live coverage of each session from Assen, while Quest will run a replay of the Sprint.

Quest is TNT Sports’ sister free-to-air channel and will air a replay of the Sprint Race shortly after the chequered flag has fallen at Assen. TNT Sports and MotoGP will also upload free highlight packages of the Sprint Race and the Dutch Grand Prix on their YouTube channels.

What is the weather forecast for the 2026 MotoGP Dutch GP at the TT Circuit Assen?

MotoGP can expect a mostly dry weekend at the TT Circuit Assen, but rain is on the forecast for the Dutch Grand Prix this Sunday. The first signs of rain are forecast to fall over Assen on Saturday night, and is set to then remain a persistent threat throughout race day on Sunday.

There is also a chance of rain on Friday, with the forecast showing a 10% chance from 13:00 rising to 33% at 18:00 and 39% at 22:00. But MotoGP’s on-track sessions are forecast to be dry, with temperatures as low as 21°C rising to highs of 35°C expected before the rain starts.

Saturday is also expected to be dry for MotoGP’s on-track sessions, despite a 6% chance of rain at 15:00 rising to a 26% chance at 21:00. Temperatures for qualifying this Saturday at the Dutch GP are forecast to be around 29°C, rising to highs of around 33°C for the Sprint.

The threat of rain will then leave the MotoGP teams looking at the sky up to and during the Dutch GP this Sunday. While the rain is most likely to arrive at Assen after the MotoGP field has all left, there is a 40-59% chance of rain all day amid lows of 16°C and highs of 28°C.

Where is the 2026 MotoGP Dutch Grand Prix held?

The 2026 Dutch Grand Prix will be run at MotoGP’s traditional home in the Netherlands, the TT Circuit Assen. MotoGP has only ever raced in the Netherlands at Assen, where Valentino Rossi holds the record for the most premier class Grand Prix wins so far with a haul of eight.

Angel Nieto boasts the most Dutch Grand Prix wins to date across all classes with 15, ahead of Giacomo Agostini with 14 and Rossi with 10. Marc Marquez has taken the most Dutch GP wins at Assen out of the 2026 MotoGP grid with six, of which he has taken three in MotoGP.

Francesco Bagnaia also has three MotoGP victories among his five career Dutch Grand Prix victories to date. Maverick Vinales, with one MotoGP Dutch GP win out of his three wins at Assen, plus Jack Miller and Fabio Quartararo with one MotoGP win each, are the only other active MotoGP riders to have stood on the top step of the premier class podium at Assen.

Who won the last MotoGP Dutch Grand Prix at the TT Circuit Assen in 2025?

Ducati ace Marc Marquez won the last time that MotoGP visited the TT Circuit Assen for the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix. The Spaniard beat Aprilia star Marco Bezzecchi by 0.635 seconds to conquer the iconic track, despite not being as fast as the Italian in race conditions last year.

Yamaha rider Fabio Quartararo scored pole position at Assen in 2025, but he lacked the pace to win, even without having to avoid Fermin Aldeguer crashing his Gresini Ducati. Instead, a strong defensive effort as Marquez positioned his factory Ducati perfectly denied Bezzecchi.

Also, Marc Marquez beat Alex Marquez to win the Assen Sprint Race in 2025, which saw the latter receive some criticism for not attacking his brother that aggressively after only having half-chances to take the lead. Alex would have had to be overly forceful to attempt a pass.