Japan MotoGP Tickets

History of the MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix

Mobility Resort Motegi is a modern icon of Japanese motorsport, purpose-built by Honda in the 1990s to showcase and develop racing technology. Opened in 1997 as ‘Twin Ring Motegi’, the circuit took its name from its unique twin-layout design, combining a high-speed oval with a 4.8 km road course built to international standards. The road circuit joined the MotoGP world championship calendar in 1999 and, since 2004, has been the permanent home of the Japanese motorcycle Grand Prix, a status now secured on the calendar until at least 2030.
Located in the forested hills of Tochigi Prefecture, around 150 km north of Tokyo, Motegi sits in the northern Kantō region and forms part of a larger Honda-run motorsport and leisure complex, complete with the Honda Collection Hall and multiple visitor attractions. Its combination of technical, stop-start corners, heavy braking zones and long straights, together with its access from major cities such as Tokyo and Utsunomiya, draws passionate Japanese fans and international visitors from Asia and Oceania to witness the spectacle of the Japanese Grand Prix.

How to Buy Japanese MotoGP 2026 Tickets

Fanatix is the place to secure your 2026 Japanese Grand Prix tickets.

Japanese Grand Prix Information

2026 Japanese GP dates

The 2026 Japanese Grand Prix runs from October 2-4th. Times provided are local:

• Friday 2nd: Practice 1
• Saturday 3rd: Practice 2
• Saturday 3rd: Qualifying
• Saturday 3rd: Sprint Race
• Sunday 4th: Race

Previous GP Winners

Previous Sprint Race Winners

2025 Japanese Grand Prix Summary

Francesco Bagnaia took a dominant win at the Mobility Resort Motegi after a difficult run of Grand Prix weekends, converting pole position into a much-needed victory. Stealing the spotlight, however, was Marc Márquez. Finishing 2nd behind his factory Ducati teammate, Márquez clinched his 7th premier class crown and 9th world championship title, equalling the famed Valentino Rossi and completing one of the greatest comebacks in sporting history after six years of crashes, doubts and injuries. Joan Mir filled the final podium position, an excellent result for factory Honda at their home Grand Prix after a difficult start to the 2025 season.

Repeat winners (premier class)

• 4 – Kevin Schwantz (1988, 1989, 1991, 1994)
• 3 – Marc Márquez (2016, 2018, 2019)
• 3 – Valentino Rossi (2002, 2003, 2008)
• 3 – Dani Pedrosa (2011, 2012, 2015)
• 3 – Loris Capirossi (2005, 2006, 2007)
• 3 – Jorge Lorenzo (2009, 2013, 2014)
• 2 – Francesco Bagnaia (2024, 2025)
• 2 – Wayne Rainey (1990, 1993)
• 2 – Mick Doohan (1992, 1997)
• 2 – Norifumi Abe (1996, 2000)

Circuit information

Location: 120-1 Hiyama, Motegi-machi, Haga-gun, Tochigi 321-3597, Japan

Length: 4.8 km (2.98 mi)

Turns: 14

Direction: Clockwise

Capacity: 68,000

Best grandstands at the Japanese Grand Prix

Grandstand V4

• Centrally located on the Super Speedway Main Straight (start/finish straight), opposite the pit lane
• Excellent view of the starting grid, race start and finish, plus pit stops and podium celebrations
• Overlooks the fastest part of the lap, watching the bikes charge from Victory Corner (Turn 14) down towards Turn 1 (T1)

Grandstand V5

• Positioned towards the beginning of the Super Speedway Main Straight (start/finish straight), closest to Victory Corner
• Great view of the bikes exiting the final corner (Turn 14) and launching onto the straight, as well as the build-up to the race start
• Clear sightline to the grid and chequered flag, with the sense of speed as they accelerate past at full throttle

Grandstand G

• Located on the inside of the downhill run into the 90 Degree Corner (Turn 11) on the back straight side of the circuit
• Watch the bikes arrive at around 300 km/h and then brake hard for one of Motegi’s key overtaking zones
• Ideal if you want close-up action at a slow corner where mistakes, divebombs and line changes are common

Grandstand Z

• Overlooks the final sector and Victory Corner (Turn 14), where the back straight funnels into the last right-hander
• Perfect place to see last-lap moves, as riders line up one final pass before the dash to the flag
• Good view of the bikes dropping down the hill, slowing sharply for the apex and then firing onto the start/finish straight

Travelling to Motegi

Key information

• Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) ~150 km, ~2.5-3 hours by train+bus or car
• Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT) ~150 km, ~3-3.5 hours by train+bus or car
• Ibaraki Airport is closer but has limited connections

Train

• High-speed Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo/Ueno to Utsunomiya ~50-60 min
• Slower conventional trains ~1.5-2 hours
• From Utsunomiya transfer to bus or event shuttle for final 50-60 km to Motegi

Bus

• Special shuttle buses operate from Utsunomiya Station to Motegi on race weekends (~60-90 min)
• Travel time depends on traffic; allow extra time for race mornings

Drive

• Tokyo → Motegi ~2-3 hours (~150 km) via expressways, then local roads
• Utsunomiya → Motegi ~60-70 min
• Rental cars available; parking at the circuit fills quickly, arrive early