As the new year begins, the MotoGP paddock is already looking forward to the 2026 season. Teams and manufacturers are getting ready to show their new bikes, colours and plans before pre-season testing starts.

Even though the biggest rule change will not arrive until 2027, when engines will be reduced from 1000cc to 850cc, 2026 is still very important. Teams need to start the season strongly, because later in the year they will have to move most of their time and money towards finishing the development of the new bikes.

Team launches

The launch season starts on 13 January, when Pramac reveals its 2026 colours in Siena, Italy. Last year, Pramac shared a launch with Yamaha, but this time it will hold its own event.

Just one day later, on 14 January, VR46 will unveil its bike in Rome. Valentino Rossi’s team has confirmed that fans will see a brand-new livery for the season.

The first factory team to show its bike will be Aprilia. The Italian manufacturer will present the new RS-GP on 15 January in Milan, close to its racing roots.

Ducati will return to Madonna di Campiglio on 19 January, a popular mountain resort that has become a regular location for its MotoGP launches.

On 21 January, Yamaha will head to Jakarta, Indonesia, where it is expected to reveal its first-ever V4 MotoGP engine.

KTM will wait until 27 January to show its updated RC16, while the exact location is still unknown.

Honda has not yet confirmed full details of its factory launch. Its satellite team LCR will show its new colours on 1 February, with the factory Honda team following on 2 February.

2026 MotoGP team launches

Testing

As always, the first testing of the year will be for rookies and test riders only. This shakedown test will take place at Sepang in Malaysia from 29 to 31 January.

All regular riders will join the action at Sepang from 3 to 5 February for the main pre-season test.

There is still some doubt over Marc Márquez, as Ducati has not yet confirmed whether he will be fit after surgery on his right shoulder, which he injured in a crash at the Indonesian Grand Prix last October.

After the Sepang test, MotoGP will hold its second-ever official season launch in Kuala Lumpur, running from 6 to 7 February. The first event was held in Bangkok last year and was seen as a big success.

The final pre-season test will take place at Buriram in Thailand on 21 and 22 February. This is just one week before the opening race of the season, the Thai Grand Prix on 1 March.

Because the test is so close to the first race, teams will have very little time to bring new parts or make big changes afterwards.

2026 Testing Schedule