The 2026 MotoGP season kicks off this weekend at the Buriram International Circuit in Thailand, and anticipation is high following a compelling pre-season test at the same venue. Fans eager to follow the action will discover a wealth of options for tuning in, with comprehensive coverage planned across television, streaming, and online platforms. The test sessions last week offered a glimpse of the competitive landscape, with Aprilia Racing emerging as a strong contender, but as any seasoned motorsport observer knows, testing is just a prelude to the intensity of a Grand Prix weekend.
Marco Bezzecchi set the pace during the final pre-season test, clocking a blistering lap time of 1’28.668, a new track record at Buriram, according to motogp.com. He was closely followed by Ai Ogura of the Trackhouse MotoGP Team, just 0.097 seconds behind. Reigning champion Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) secured third position, despite a couple of falls during testing, while Francesco Bagnaia and Alex Marquez rounded out the top five.
Interestingly, the top five from last year’s Buriram test mirrored the final 2025 MotoGP World Championship standings: Marquez, Alex Marquez, Bezzecchi, Acosta, and Bagnaia. This historical correlation adds an intriguing layer to the upcoming race, suggesting that the pre-season form could be a reliable indicator of performance. However, Marquez himself will be looking to rebound after experiencing three falls during the test and battling illness, and is returning to competition after recovering from shoulder injuries sustained at Mandalika last October.
When to Watch the 2026 Thai MotoGP
The Thai MotoGP event spans from February 27th to March 1st. The action begins with two Free Practice sessions on Friday, February 27th. Saturday, February 28th, will be dedicated to final practice, qualifying, and the Sprint race. The weekend culminates on Sunday, March 1st, with the Warm-up session followed by the main Grand Prix race.
Detailed Schedule and Start Times
Here’s a breakdown of the session timings, converted for both local Thai time and UK viewers:
- Friday, February 27th:
- 10:45 AM (local) / 03:45 AM (UK) – MotoGP FP1
- 3:00 PM (local) / 8:00 AM (UK) – MotoGP Practice
- Saturday, February 28th:
- 10:10 AM (local) / 03:10 AM (UK) – MotoGP FP2
- 10:50 AM (local) / 03:50 AM (UK) – MotoGP Qualifying
- 3:00 PM (local) / 8:00 AM (UK) – MotoGP Sprint
- Sunday, March 1st:
- 10:40 AM (local) / 03:40 PM (UK) – MotoGP Warm-up
- 3:00 PM (local) / 7:00 AM (UK) – Thai MotoGP
How to Access the Broadcast
For comprehensive live coverage, MotoGP’s official Video Pass streaming service will broadcast every session. The service offers different subscription tiers: a full season pass including Timing Pass for €148.99, a full season pass without live data for €139.99, and a monthly pass for €29.99.
UK Viewing Options
UK-based fans have another option: TNT Sports will be showing every session of the Thai MotoGP. A subscription to TNT Sports through Discovery+ is available for £30.99 per month. TNT Sports will likewise cover all Moto2 and Moto3 sessions live. For those preferring text-based updates, Crash.net will provide live text updates throughout the weekend, with the exception of Sunday morning’s warm-up session.
The pre-season test also highlighted the competitive positioning of other teams. While Aprilia and Ducati appear closely matched, Pedro Acosta led the KTM challenge in sixth place. Honda, now benefiting from a concession class and an engine freeze, secured a place in the top ten with Joan Mir. Yamaha, however, faced a more challenging test, with Jack Miller achieving a best time of 16th (+1.0s), and riders anticipating a difficult weekend as they debut the new V4 engine.
Adding another element to the weekend’s dynamic, weather forecasts indicate a potential for rain, which could introduce an unpredictable factor into the racing.
As the teams prepare for the first Grand Prix of the season, the focus will be on translating the promise shown during testing into consistent race performance. The Buriram circuit, with its challenging layout and tropical climate, will undoubtedly test the riders and machines to their limits. The 2026 Thai MotoGP promises to be an exciting start to a new season of thrilling motorcycle racing.
The next key date for MotoGP fans will be the conclusion of the Thai Grand Prix on Sunday, March 1st, which will provide a clearer picture of the competitive order and set the stage for the remainder of the 2026 season.
What are your predictions for the race? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and be sure to share this article with fellow MotoGP enthusiasts.
