MotoGP has confirmed its calendar by signing a multi-year contract renewal for the French Grand Prix at the famous Le Mans Circuit. The arrangement ensures that the event will continue at Le Mans until 2031, extending the present agreement, which was slated to expire in 2026.
Le Mans has played an important role in MotoGP history, holding the French Grand Prix 11 times from 1969 to 1995 before becoming a permanent fixture in 2000. The current five-year contract, agreed by series promoter Dorna Sports, cements the venue’s role as a championship cornerstone.
Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta emphasised the importance of the extension, citing France’s rich motorsport history and the event’s growing popularity. The French Grand Prix has typically drawn one of the biggest crowds on the MotoGP schedule. In 2023, it set a record with 297,471 spectators over three days, making it the most-attended MotoGP event in history.
The extension follows previous long-term deals in Spain, which secure the Valencia Grand Prix and the Catalan Grand Prix until 2031. This move is consistent with MotoGP’s overall efforts to enhance its calendar following Dorna Sports’ acquisition by Liberty Media, which currently owns 86% of MotoGP while maintaining operational independence.
