Qatar Airways Grand Prix Set for Second Round of 2027 MotoGP Season

Doha, Qatar : Qatar's Lusail International Circuit will host the second round of the 2027 MotoGP World Championship, according to the calendar released by championship rights holder Dorna and approved by the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM).

The Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar is scheduled to take place from March 12 to 14, 2027, with the main race once again serving as the championship's only night race.

The 2027 season will comprise 22 rounds across 19 countries, opening in Thailand from March 5 to 7 and concluding in Valencia, Spain, from November 26 to 28.

Lusail has hosted MotoGP since 2004 and made history in 2008 as the site of the championship's first-ever night race. The circuit is also one of the few venues in the world to host all three major international motorsport championships: MotoGP, Formula 1, and the FIA World Endurance Championship.

The circuit will once again host the Tissot Sprint in 2027. Held on Saturdays, the shorter race covers half the distance of the main Grand Prix and carries its own points system and podium ceremony.

Spanning 5.38 kilometers with 16 corners and a long main straight, the Lusail circuit is equipped with an extensive lighting system that enables races to be held under floodlights — giving the venue its signature night-racing atmosphere.

The Qatar round will also mark part of a new era for MotoGP, as the championship transitions to 850cc motorcycles in 2027. The shift is expected to make the Qatar race an important early test of the new technical regulations.

The 2027 calendar includes several other notable changes. Argentina returns to the schedule with a round in Buenos Aires, replacing Hungary's Balaton Park, while Australia's race moves from Phillip Island to Adelaide.

Following the season-opening round in Thailand, the championship heads directly to Qatar before shifting to the Americas. Brazil will host the third round on April 4, followed by Argentina on April 11, with the series then moving to Austin on April 25.

Europe will host 12 consecutive rounds between May and October, beginning at Jerez in Spain on May 9 and concluding at Portimao in Portugal on October 3.

The championship will then return to Asia and Australia for rounds in Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Adelaide, before the season finale in Valencia on November 28.

Source: QNA