MotoGP: Qatar GP pushed back to autumn 
It had been brewing for days and now the organisers have confirmed it. The MotoGP Qatar GP will not run in April because of the unstable security situation in the Middle East. The postponement forces the paddock to rip up the back end of the 2026 calendar to make room.
The decision comes hot on the heels of Formula 1’s shock moves in the region. F1 simply wiped Bahrain and Saudi Arabia off the map. MotoGP has taken a different route — keeping the Losail round alive by shifting its date.
Domino effect on the end-of-season calendar
Losail was originally set to host the riders on April 12. Instead, the bikes will race under lights on November 8. That swing into autumn means other European tracks have to reshuffle to absorb the change. The direct fallout: Portugal’s Portimao slides to November 22. The season finale in Valencia gets the same treatment — the title will now be decided on November 29.
Spring tickets will remain valid
Carmelo Ezpeleta spoke about the last-minute logistical scramble. The MotoGP chief said the move was driven by the need to guarantee the absolute safety of teams and fans and that the decision involved constant consultation with local partners.
He made a point of thanking the Portimao and Valencia organisers — without their willingness to change dates so quickly the season would probably have lost a round. Practical note for fans: tickets already bought for Qatar will remain valid for the new autumn running.
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