The adrenaline-fueled world of motorcycle racing returns this weekend as the MotoGP circus heads to Italy for the prestigious 2026 San Marino Grand Prix. Hosted at the iconic Circuit Marco Simoncelli in Misano, this weekend promises edge-of-your-seat action as the fierce championship battle between manufacturers Aprilia and Ducati reaches a boiling point.
The rivalry between the two powerhouse Italian brands remains as tight and unpredictable as ever. Aprilia kicked off the second half of the season with a decisive victory right after the summer break at Silverstone. However, Ducati fired back strongly at Aragon a fortnight ago, leveling the playing field. With both factories historically performing exceptionally well at Misano, predicting a clear favorite is nearly impossible. Last year, Marco Bezzecchi electrified home fans by claiming pole position and winning the sprint race, though Ducati’s Marc Marquez ultimately stole the show to win the main Sunday event.
Heading into this weekend’s showdown, the championship standings are razor-thin. Just 19 points separate Jorge Martin and Marc Marquez at the top of the table, while local favorite Marco Bezzecchi lurks closely behind in third, trailing by an additional five points. Adding to the drama, the San Marino round forms the first leg of an intense double-header alongside the upcoming Austrian round, giving fans two consecutive weeks of non-stop premier-class action.
2026 San Marino GP Schedule & Timings
Action at the Circuit Marco Simoncelli kicks off on Friday, September 11, and culminates with the Grand Prix on Sunday, September 13. Below are the key session times mapped across major global time zones:
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Free Practice 1: Friday, Sep 11 – 09:45 BST / 04:45 ET / 01:45 PT
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Practice: Friday, Sep 11 – 14:00 BST /09:00 ET / 06:00 PT
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Free Practice 2: Saturday, Sep 12 – 09:10 BST / 04:10 ET / 01:10 PT
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Qualifying (Q1 & Q2): Saturday, Sep 12 – 09:50 BST / 04:50 ET / 01:50 PT
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Sprint Race: Saturday, Sep 12 – 14:00 BST / 09:00 ET / 06:00 PT
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Grand Prix Race: Sunday, Sep 13 – 13:00 BST /08:00 ET / 05:00 PT
How to Watch and Stream the San Marino Grand Prix?
Fans around the world eager to catch every lap live have multiple viewing options. For global audiences wanting complete, ad-free coverage, MotoGP offers its official on-demand streaming service—the MotoGP Video Pass. Available for an annual fee of €139.99, it provides live broadcasts and timing feeds for every practice, qualifying session, Sprint, and Grand Prix, alongside extensive race highlights and historical archives.
Alternatively, regional motorsport enthusiasts can tune in through various local official broadcasters who hold television and digital streaming rights in specific countries. Check your local listings to see which domestic sports network or streaming platform is broadcasting the Misano action live in your region.
Will Ducati extend its dominance, or can Aprilia and Bezzecchi reclaim home glory in front of the passionate Italian crowd? Make sure your schedules are locked in and catch all the high-octane drama this weekend!
