In addition to maintaining its commitment to motorcycle racing in Portugal, the renewal also reinforces the Algarve as a regular venue for major international sporting events.

Contract renewal

Jaime Costa, CEO of the Algarve International Circuit, said the contract renewal corroborates "a vote of confidence from everyone in the work developed by the Algarve International Circuit and by all the people and entities that contribute to the realisation of the Portuguese Grand Prix." He also says that "the continuity of MotoGP for another three years ensures that Portugal and the Algarve reinforce their place on the map of major world sporting events and confirms the excellence of our Circuit and our events."

Carlos Ezpeleta, Deputy CEO of the MotoGP Group, states, as quoted in a press release, that “the return of the Portuguese Grand Prix to the Algarve International Circuit has brought a new dimension to the championship since it became part of the calendar. Its demanding layout has provided unforgettable races and has quickly become a favourite of riders and fans.” Ezpeleta expresses his satisfaction in “continuing to take advantage of this moment, growing the event to become an even greater celebration of MotoGP and providing unforgettable experiences for fans across the country.”

Impact on tourism

From a tourism perspective, Pedro Machado, Secretary of State for Tourism, states that “MotoGP's continued presence in Portugal until 2029 is more than just the continuation of a major international competition: it is a sign of confidence in the country's future and in the capacity of Portuguese tourism to generate value, promote territories, and assert Portugal in the world. This is the ambition we want to consolidate: transforming major events into catalysts for notoriety, sustainable development, and new opportunities for the sector, reinforcing a destination that looks to the future with confidence, vision, and the ability to inspire new audiences and markets.”

Carlos Abade, President of Turismo de Portugal, says that “MotoGP is an important platform for external promotion for Portugal and has contributed to projecting the country as a destination among millions of fans worldwide. This commitment reinforces Portugal's capacity and interest in hosting events of global scope.” André Gomes, President of Algarve Tourism, says it is positive to maintain an event with such “international projection, which brings thousands of visitors, generates business, and reinforces the destination's notoriety. It also has the advantage of taking place outside the high season, in a period in which we want to continue growing. It is precisely this type of large event that helps the Algarve to assert itself throughout the year and to consolidate its position among the main international tourist destinations.”

MotoGP in the Algarve

MotoGP arrived in the Algarve for the first time in 2020, when Miguel Oliveira became the first Portuguese rider to win a race in Portugal. In 2021, the Algarve Grand Prix became a permanent fixture on the calendar. From 2023 onwards, audiences began to increase, with the peak being reached in 2025, when the prize broke spectator records, “with more than 166,000 entries throughout the weekend,” reveals the AIA, in a press release.

In 2026, the MotoGP Repsol Grand Prix of Portugal will take place between November 20th and 22nd at the AIA circuit, bringing together three categories of the World Motorcycle Championship – MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3.