MotoGP in India was supposed to be a new era for motorsports fans, with fast bikes, global stars, and world-class racing on the Buddh International circuit. But after a dramatic debut in 2023 and a series of postponements, it now looks like MotoGP might not see India again anytime soon.
The Highs and Lows of MotoGP in India
Back in 2023, the Buddh International Circuit hosted the first-ever MotoGP in India. The energy was wild as over 50,000 fans turned up. Riders and teams said positive things about the track setup, and even with the tough heat, everyone thought this could be the start of something big for Indian motorsports.
But after that, things went downhill. The event for 2024 was cancelled, officially blamed on “operational circumstances.” It wasn’t just weather issues, there were financial troubles for the local promoters and confusion over organization. Although promises were made, the problems kept piling up. The 2024 race disappeared from the calendar, and focus shifted to organizing a better event in March 2025.
Constant Delays and a Cloudy Future
Hope wasn’t lost after the 2024 postponement. There was even a new three-year deal announced between MotoGP’s rights holders, Dorna Sports, and the Uttar Pradesh government in July 2024. This promised MotoGP in India until 2027, but within a month, news came that the event was called off for 2025 as well, and pushed to “early 2026” due to more “operational circumstances” and scheduling issues.
Despite all the official talk about India being an “essential market” for MotoGP and manufacturers, the latest provisional calendar for 2026 doesn’t feature the Indian Grand Prix. That’s three straight calendar cycles (2024, 2025, 2026) where fans were left waiting.
What’s Going On Behind the Scenes?
You’d expect better for a country with such a massive base of two-wheeler fans and a growing motorsports following. But behind the scenes of MotoGP in India, the story is quite messy:
- Poor promotion and lower-than-expected attendance at the inaugural event.
- The local promoter, Fairstreet Sports, reportedly struggled to keep promises and meet contract obligations.
- After failed attempts to save the race, the Uttar Pradesh government stepped in and took over operations, but financial and organizational hurdles remained.
- A fresh tender was issued to find a new co-promoter, with huge costs (around ₹160 crore) expected just to host the event.
All this drama made organizers think twice about coming back year after year. Formula 1 fans might get déjà vu, as F1 itself only lasted three years in India due to similar financial and legal headaches.
Will MotoGP in India Ever Return?
Statements from MotoGP and Indian officials say they’re “working hard” to bring the championship back and want a world-class event for fans. But as of now, there’s nothing solid on the calendar. Fans who hoped to see world champion riders battling it out at Buddh International Circuit will have to wait, and for now, there’s no guarantee it’ll happen at all.
The bottom line is that MotoGP in India is a story of big dreams, bigger hype, and endless delays. Unless real changes happen behind the scenes, India’s MotoGP fate looks pretty uncertain. For now, all we have are memories of that one electrifying Sunday in 2023.
Also Read: Why Was India’s F1 Track Abandoned?
