Rio de Janeiro will host the official MotoGP 2027 Season Launch on 21 February 2027. The main event is planned for Botafogo Beach, with Sugarloaf Mountain providing the backdrop.
According to MotoGP, the entire MotoGP grid is expected to travel to Brazil at the start of 2027 for the season launch, which is also expected to kick off MotoGP's new 850cc era. This will be the third new launch location in as many years, following Bangkok in 2025 and Kuala Lumpur in 2026.
Economic value generated by the 2026 MotoGP Season Launch in Kuala Lumpur.
MotoGP adopted the season launch concept in 2025 with an event in Bangkok, Thailand, which proved hugely successful. The 2026 launch in Kuala Lumpur followed the first pre-season test of the year and generated more than USD $7 million in economic value.
The season launch brings together every MotoGP team, rider and manufacturer before the opening race. Outside a Grand Prix weekend, it is the only opportunity to see all these elements together in one place. MotoGP typically chooses locations that are logistically convenient for teams around testing.
The announcement comes after MotoGP's return to Brazil in 2026 with a sold-out Grand Prix weekend in Goiânia, which welcomed almost 150,000 spectators. The event was well received by fans despite numerous issues with the track surface during the weekend. As of the announcement, MotoGP had not revealed the 2027 calendar and test dates; only the season-opening Thai Grand Prix on 5-7 March was confirmed. Rumours had suggested MotoGP was potentially looking at hosting the 2027 season launch in Miami.
The MotoGP Season Launch has become one of the defining moments of the year.
Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of MotoGP Group, said the enthusiasm shown by Brazilian fans during the sold-out return to Goiânia in 2026 confirmed the extraordinary connection between MotoGP and Brazil. He added that following successful Season Launch events in Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, Rio de Janeiro provides the perfect stage to continue raising the bar, and that MotoGP looks forward to delivering its biggest and most spectacular Season Launch yet.
Eduardo Cavaliere, Mayor of Rio de Janeiro, said Rio de Janeiro is honoured to host the MotoGP 2027 Season Launch and welcome one of the most important annual events in international motorsport to the city. He stated that few cities can match Rio's combination of natural beauty, sporting passion and globally recognised landmarks. He added that the event will showcase the best of Rio de Janeiro, from Botafogo Beach to Christ the Redeemer, to millions of fans worldwide, and that he looks forward to welcoming the MotoGP family and fans from across the globe to Rio.
Internationally acclaimed artists will perform alongside leading Brazilian musicians at the 2027 Season Launch in Rio.
