The 2026 MotoGP World Championship season is now underway, with 22 rounds held across 18 countries. This year, the Brazilian GP returns to the calendar in place of the Argentine GP. With sprint races on Saturdays counting toward the championship standings, there are up to 44 races in the MotoGP class alone — making every weekend unmissable.
Marc Marquez, who reclaimed the premier class title for the seventh time last season — his first in six years — is hunting his eighth championship in 2026. A win would draw him level with the all-time record held by Giacomo Agostini. The stakes are further raised by the fact that 2026 marks the final season for 1000cc machinery, with MotoGP switching to 850cc from 2027. The race to be crowned the fastest rider of the 1000cc era is on.
Five Japanese riders are entered across all three classes this season. In the premier MotoGP class, 2024 Moto2 champion Ai Ogura is into his second year at the top level. The Moto2 class sees Ayumu Sasaki joined by Taiyo Furusato, who is making his class debut. In Moto3, Ryusei Yamanaka is joined by Zen Mitani for a full campaign.
Every round across all classes is being broadcast live on Japanese CS channels. Nippon TV Gitas programming is also available through the Sky PerfecTV! streaming service, enabling live viewing and on-demand replay on smartphones, tablets, and PCs.
2026 MotoGP Broadcast Schedule
Round 1: Thai Grand Prix
- February 27 (Fri): 3:10 PM – 6:25 PM — Friday Practice (Nippon TV Gitas Official YouTube*1)
- February 28 (Sat): 12:45 PM – 6:30 PM — All Classes Qualifying + MotoGP Sprint Race [LIVE] (Nippon TV Plus*2)
- March 1 (Mon): 1:45 PM – 7:00 PM — All Classes Qualifying [LIVE] (Nippon TV Gitas)
- March 2 (Mon): 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM — All Classes Qualifying VTR (Nippon TV Gitas)
- March 2 (Mon): 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM — MotoGP Sprint Race VTR (Nippon TV Gitas)
Round 2: Brazilian GP
- March 21 (Sat): 1:15 AM – 4:45 AM — Friday Practice (Nippon TV Gitas Official YouTube*1)
- March 21 (Sat): 10:45 PM – 4:30 AM (next day) — All Classes Qualifying + MotoGP Sprint Race [LIVE] (Nippon TV Gitas)
- March 22 (Sun): 11:45 PM – 5:00 AM (next day) — All Classes Race [LIVE] (Nippon TV Gitas)
All remaining rounds and classes will also be broadcast throughout the season.
Broadcast schedules and content are subject to change.
*1 Practice sessions are streamed on the Nippon TV Gitas Official YouTube channel. Japanese commentary is not included — venue audio only.
*2 Nippon TV Gitas subscribers on Sky PerfecTV! or Sky PerfecTV! Premium Service can watch the "2026 MotoGP" broadcasts on Nippon TV Plus at no additional charge.
How to Watch
Nippon TV Gitas: Sky PerfecTV! (CS257), Sky PerfecTV! Premium Service (Ch.608), J:COM, cable TV providers nationwide, Hikari TV, au Hikari, and more
Nippon TV Plus: Sky PerfecTV! (CS300), Sky PerfecTV! Premium Service (Ch.619), J:COM, cable TV providers nationwide, Hikari TV, au Hikari, and more
Smartphone / PC / Tablet: Available via the Sky PerfecTV! streaming service
For more details on the season schedule and broadcast lineup, visit the Nippon TV Gitas "2026 MotoGP" program page: https://www.gtasu.com/motorsports/motogp/
