Venue
Lusail, Al Daayen, Qatar
MotoGP Qatar Airways Grand Prix, Lusail guide
Motorbike racing fans get an unusual late-season night race at Lusail International Circuit, moved to Friday 6 to Sunday 8 November 2026 as round 20. Friday is for practice, Saturday for qualifying and the Sprint, and the Grand Prix runs on Sunday evening. Coming near the end of the championship, it may matter for the title.
Lusail International Circuit, just north of Doha, runs MotoGP's only night race under floodlights. Qatar usually opens the season in spring, but in 2026 the Grand Prix moves to Friday 6 to Sunday 8 November. As round 20 it comes near the end of the championship, when the title may still be open.
The race was first scheduled for 12 April and was pushed back because of the regional conflict. Friday is for practice. Saturday brings qualifying and the Sprint, and the Grand Prix itself runs on Sunday evening.
Lusail, Al Daayen, Qatar
Hotels near the venue fill up around the event dates.
The dates are confirmed: 6 to 8 November 2026. Session times were not yet on the Visit Qatar page when we last checked. Racing at Lusail happens after dark, so plan on the main action in the evening, and look at the official MotoGP timetable a few weeks before the weekend.
The circuit opened in 2004 in Al Daayen municipality, just outside Lusail and a short drive north of central Doha. A lap is about 5.38 km, and the 1,068 m main straight is one of the longest in the series. The Grand Prix runs over 22 laps, roughly 118 km, with 22 riders on the grid.
MotoGP has raced here since 2004; the only gap was 2020, when the premier-class race was cancelled because of COVID-19. In 2008 Qatar staged the first night race in MotoGP history. Marc Márquez won in 2025 in front of more than 40,000 spectators.
Hospitality is sold separately, and children in hospitality areas pay full price.
Hamad International Airport in Doha is about 40 minutes from the circuit by road outside rush hour. Parking is free, and there are set taxi drop-off and pick-up zones.
No public transport plan for the race had been announced, so count on a taxi, a ride-hailing app or a hire car. Many nationalities can enter Qatar visa-free or get a visa on arrival; our Qatar visa guide has the current rules.
Free practice sessions for the MotoGP class.
Qualifying sets the grid, followed by the Sprint race.
The 22-lap race under floodlights; session times are published a few weeks before.
Ticketing is straightforward. A three-day adult pass costs about QAR 200, and it lets you sit anywhere in the Main Grandstand or on Lusail Hill, the raised viewing area by Turn 1. Admission is free for under-12s, with a maximum of six per paying adult, though each child must still be booked through the circuit's official LCSC platform, while those aged 2 and under need no ticket.
Every ticket includes the Fan Zone. Since grandstand seats are unreserved, get there early on race day if you want to see the start, and pack ear protection, particularly for children.
Lusail International Circuit opened in 2004, and in 2008 Qatar hosted the first night race in MotoGP history, run under floodlights. A lap measures roughly 5.38 km, and its 1,068 m main straight is one of the longest MotoGP uses.
A grid of 22 riders starts a race of 22 laps, roughly 118 km in total. Marc Márquez won before a crowd of more than 40,000 in 2025, and the late slot in 2026 could give the race extra weight in the title fight.
Most visitors fly into Hamad International Airport, about 40 minutes from the circuit by road outside rush hour. From Bangladesh, see Dhaka to Doha flights.
No public transport plan had been announced for race weekend, so count on a taxi, a ride-hailing app or a rental car.
The organisers provide free parking and set taxi drop-off and pick-up zones.
Lusail has a growing number of hotels close to the circuit, which saves time after the evening sessions. Central Doha has far more choice and is a short drive south.
Doha
Lusail
Doha
Doha
Early November is warm by day and mild after dark. On the 1992–2021 normals from the Qatar Meteorological Department for Doha, November averages highs of 29.7 °C and lows of 22.0 °C, with about 11 mm of rain in the month.
The open stands catch the breeze once the sun goes down, so evenings feel cooler than the figures suggest.
Met at arrivals at Hamad International Airport (DOH) and driven door to door to Lusail International Circuit.
Places to eat in Qatar before or after the celebrations.
Al Jasra Boutique Hotel, Al Jasra Street, Souq Waqif, Doha, Qatar
Cuisine:MoroccanNorth African
Al Doha Gardens, Al Sharq Street, Doha, Qatar
Cuisine:QatariMiddle Eastern
4th Floor, National Museum of Qatar, Museum Park Street, Doha, Qatar
Cuisine:QatariMiddle Eastern
5th Floor, Museum of Islamic Art, Corniche Promenade, Doha, Qatar
Cuisine:Contemporary FrenchMediterranean
Others of this kind you opened on this device, so you can get back to them quickly.
No questions yet about MotoGP Qatar Airways Grand Prix, Lusail. Ask the community or our travel team, and the answer will show here once it is published.
Our team answers questions here
Sights within easy reach of the festival.
Doha
The Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) is Qatar Museums' flagship museum of art from the Islamic world, set on an artificial island at the southern end of the Doha Cor...
Doha
Souq Waqif is Doha's traditional market in the Al Souq district of central Doha, about 400 metres from the Corniche, with lanes of spice, perfume and textile sh...
Doha
The Pearl-Qatar is an artificial island of nearly 4 square kilometres off northern Doha, near the West Bay Lagoon, with marinas, waterfront restaurants, shops a...
Festivals held in the same weeks, if you want to plan more than one.
Sporting Events, Live Events
Al Daayen, Qatar
Cultural Events, Arts Festivals, Exhibition
Doha, Qatar
Festivals and events across Qatar, with dates, venues and ticket details where available.
Cultural Events, Folk Festival
Doha, Qatar
Cultural Events, National Day, Parade
Doha, Qatar
15 photos
Food Festivals, Leisure Events, Community Events
Al Daayen, Qatar
Tell us where and when you want to go, and local travel experts send you offers for your trip.
Booking
Tickets are sold by Lusail International Circuit through its official website and approved partners, with weekend passes and single-day options. Buy from the official channel, since tickets are issued digitally and linked to the buyer. Prices for 2026 are set by the circuit, so check the current figures there.
General
If you only want the main race, a Sunday ticket is enough. A weekend pass makes sense if you want Saturday's Sprint as well, which is often closer racing than the Grand Prix. Friday practice is the quietest day and a good chance to walk around and pick out viewing spots.
Aim to be at the gates two to three hours before the Grand Prix. That gives you time to park, clear security and find your seat while the support races are still running. Leaving straight after the chequered flag means queuing with everyone else, so many fans wait out the first rush in the fan area.
It is strongly advised. MotoGP bikes are loud, and sitting near the main straight for a full race is hard on the ears. Foam earplugs are fine for adults; children are better off with over-ear defenders.
Small bags, sun protection, a light jacket and cameras for personal use are normally allowed. Glass, large umbrellas, drones, flares and professional camera rigs are usually banned. The circuit publishes its full list of prohibited items before race weekend, so read it before you leave the hotel.
Casual clothes are fine, but keep shoulders and knees covered in public areas out of respect for local customs. Comfortable shoes matter more than anything, as you will walk a fair distance between car parks, gates and stands. Team shirts and caps are common and perfectly acceptable.
The Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix runs at the same circuit three weeks later, from 27 to 29 November 2026. Staying in Qatar for both is a long trip, but some fans do it and spend the gap visiting Doha and the desert. Our guide to the Formula 1 weekend is linked from this page.
Families & accessibility
Yes, families come in good numbers, and the evening timing avoids the worst of the daytime sun. Children need their own booked ticket, so check the circuit's age rules when you buy. Bring proper ear defenders for young children, as the bikes are very loud at close range.
The main grandstand and newer facilities at Lusail have step-free access and accessible toilets. Contact the circuit when booking to ask about accessible seating and parking close to the entrance. Spaces are limited, so ask well before race day.
Stay & facilities
Yes, there are food outlets and drinks stands around the grandstands and fan zone, with prices in Qatari riyals and cards widely accepted. Alcohol is not part of the general offer at public areas, in line with Qatar's rules. Water is easy to buy, but bring a refillable bottle as well.
Timing & weather
The first Grand Prix at Lusail was held in 2004, the year the circuit opened. In 2008 it became the first night race in the championship's history, lit by one of the largest permanent floodlight systems at any sports venue. The 5.38 km track has a long main straight of just over a kilometre.
We use necessary cookies to make this site work. With your permission we would also like to remember your preferences, measure how the site is used, and show relevant ads and partner offers. You can change your mind at any time under "Cookie settings" on our Privacy policy page.