The Thai Grand Prix has been officially designated as the opening race of the MotoGP championship for the 2025 and 2026 seasons, replacing the Qatar race. The Chang International Circuit in Buri Ram will host the first Grand Prix of the year, currently planned for February 28 to March 2 of next year.
The complete provisional 2025 FIM MotoGP calendar will be released by the FIM later in the 2024 season.
The sport’s popularity in Thailand is expected to surge next year, particularly with Somkiat Chantra, who races for Idemitsu Honda Team Asia in Moto2, poised to join LCR Honda.
Since its inaugural event in 2018, the Thai Grand Prix has attracted over 800,000 fans across four events, establishing it as one of the most successful races on the MotoGP calendar.
Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of MotoGP rights holder Dorna Sports, expressed enthusiasm about the announcement: “We are thrilled to confirm that the 2025 and 2026 season openers will be held in Buri Ram. Southeast Asia is a critical market for our sport, manufacturers, and partners. The passion of the fans in Thailand is evident in the massive crowds we see at Buri Ram each year, and we anticipate an incredible atmosphere for the season’s first event.”
He continued, “As soon as Buri Ram joined the calendar, it became an instant favorite. It’s a fantastic venue for MotoGP, designed to showcase our thrilling close racing—a quality demonstrated by the incredible show we had at the track last season. We look forward to returning later this year and for the historic season opener in 2025.”
Dr. Gongsak Yodmani, Governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), remarked, “We see the significant advantages of being the season opener. This is a vital opportunity to leverage a world-class sporting event to boost the economy and generate substantial revenue in line with our Sport Tourism policy. The exciting rider movements among teams will captivate MotoGP fans globally as they anticipate seeing top riders on new bikes for the first time at Chang International Circuit after the extended off-season.”
He added, “Dorna Sports plans to promote the season opener extensively to raise awareness among motorsport fans worldwide. This will enhance the profile of the Thai round and position it as a must-visit destination for MotoGP enthusiasts globally.”
“On behalf of the SAT, I want to express our sincere gratitude to Dorna Sports and assure them that Thailand is fully prepared to host the opening rounds of the 2025 and 2026 seasons.”
Credit: Bangkok Post
