The 2026 Australian MotoGP Grand Prix runs at Phillip Island from Friday 23 October to Sunday 25 October, in what may be the circuit’s final appearance on the calendar, at least for now. The Australian venue has been MotoGP’s home in the country for almost three decades, and its possible farewell arrives with a championship fight close enough for every difficult decision to matter.

Jorge Martín enters the weekend two points ahead of Marc Márquez in the standings. That margin leaves little room for mistakes, particularly with changing conditions capable of reshaping the order. Marco Bezzecchi is among the riders who could close on the two leaders, while the remaining Ducati and Aprilia riders may also influence the title battle. Raúl Fernández won at Phillip Island last year, another indication that the circuit can produce a race that does not follow the expectations created by the championship table.

Rain, wind and a difficult tyre window

Rain is forecast to arrive on Friday afternoon and continue with little interruption until after Sunday’s races. Wind is also expected, while the maximum temperature is forecast at just 16ºC on both Saturday and Sunday. Those conditions may increase the likelihood of mistakes, but a deliberately cautious approach brings its own problem: if riders do not push enough, the tyres may fail to reach the temperature range required for safe operation. At the other extreme, riding at the limit also increases the likelihood of a crash.

Australian Grand Prix schedule

  • Friday 23 October: MotoGP Free Practice 1 at 02:40 and Practice at 06:55.
  • Saturday 24 October: Free Practice 2 at 02:05, Qualifying 1 and 2 at 02:50, and the Tissot Sprint at 06:45.
  • Sunday 25 October: MotoGP Warm-up at 01:35 and the race at 04:30.

The main action again begins in the early hours, with the weekend reaching its decisive stage on Sunday morning. The clocks change during the early hours of Sunday, providing an extra hour of sleep before the race. With Martín and Márquez separated by only two points, rain in the forecast and Phillip Island’s demanding character, the circuit’s possible farewell could have a meaningful effect on the championship’s next chapter.