Harley-Davidson joins MotoGP race weekends in 2026

The promoters of the MotoGP World Championship have reached an agreement with Harley-Davidson to incorporate a one-make championship into next season’s grand prix calendar, Motorsport.com has learned.

While an official announcement and further details are still to come, the series is expected to feature a calendar of up to seven events, each consisting of two races.

It is still unclear whether the new series will be held under the umbrella of the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM), which could provide broader exposure and recognition.

The Harley-Davidson championship will alternate with MotoE, which in 2025 features a seven-round calendar, beginning this weekend at the French Grand Prix. After Le Mans, the series will visit the Netherlands, Austria, Hungary, Barcelona, Misano and Portimao, which will close the season.

Although the roadmap for the new championship has yet to be revealed, one confirmed round will be at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas, where spectators enjoyed a Harley-Davidson exhibition race earlier this year.

In its inaugural season, the series will include approximately eight teams, each fielding two riders, making up a 16-bike grid. Each race weekend will consist of a single free practice session, a timed qualifying session to determine the starting order, and two races – one on Saturday and the other on Sunday.

In the United States, there is already a competition called King of the Baggers, supported by both Harley-Davidson and fellow American manufacturer Indian. It is known for the spectacle of its bikes, which retain their side saddlebags, giving them a unique look. That championship also consists of seven events.

However, the new international series – expected to be officially unveiled on Saturday – is entirely unrelated to the American one.