MotoGP’s 2023 calendar: 21 rounds, 42 races – ‘My wife will change the locks!’ |

MotoGP is set to visit 18 different countries next year with Kazakhstan and India the new additions, subject to homologation, while Aragon steps down to reduce the Spanish-based events to three (Italy is the other repeat visit). Finland remains absent.

That notably means ‘flyaway’ events, held outside Europe, will now comprise almost half (10) of the 21-round calendar: Argentina, America, Kazakhstan, India, Japan, Indonesia, Australia, Thailand, Malaysia and Qatar.

Once MotoGP leaves Misano on September 10, there won’t be another competitive lap in Europe until Friday practice for the Valencia finale on November 24.

MotoGP 2023 calendar

Sepang shakedown test
February 5-7

Sepang test
February 10-12

Portimao test
March 11-12

Portuguese GP – Portimao
March 24-26

Argentina GP – Termas de Rio Hondo
March 31-April 2

Americas GP – Circuit of the Americas
April 14-16

Spanish GP – Jerez
April 28-30

Jerez test
May 1

French GP – Le Mans
May 12-14

Italian GP – Mugello
June 9-11

German GP – Sachsenring
June 16-18

Dutch GP – Assen
June 23-25

Kazakhstan GP – Sokol
July 7-9

British GP – Silverstone
August 4-6

Austrian GP – Red Bull Ring
August 18-20

Catalan GP – Barcelona
September 1-3

San Marino GP – Misano
September 8-10

Misano test
September 11

Indian GP – Buddh
September 22-24

Japanese GP – Motegi
September 29-October 1

Indonesian GP – Mandalika
October 13-15

Australian GP – Phillip Island
October 20-22

Thai GP – Chang
October 27-29

Malaysian GP – Sepang
November 10-12

Qatar GP – Lusail
November 17-19

Valencia GP – Ricardo Tormo
November 24-26

Covid aside, MotoGP – like F1- has been gradually ‘rebalancing’ its calendars with most new events located outside Europe (KymiRing was to be the exception). Saudi Arabia is among the planned future destinations.

Such worldwide expansion offers the chance to present MotoGP in front of a new audience but also requires additional travel and logistical costs.

“Well, my wife will change the locks with this calendar and the new Kazakhstan and Indian races!” joked Alex Rins.

“But no, apart from the joke, it’s nice to discover new places, new tracks. For sure if it will be harder because we will be away from home more, but it looks good.”

Jack Miller: ‘I like the look of it’

As one of the non-European riders, Jack Miller had to move halfway across the world to pursue his MotoGP dream.

The Australian also added that the season will begin later than usual and includes a ‘spring break’ of three weekends after Le Mans, in addition to the usual summer break from Kazakhstan on July 9 to Silverstone on August 4-6.

“We’ve got a big calendar on, but I like the look of it,” said Miller, who will switch from Ducati to KTM next season.

“One less race in Spain, two new countries. It’s fantastic for the championship to be spreading out a little more, rather being solely Europe-based, I guess you could say. I like the idea of that, spreading it out. I like taking MotoGP all around the world. I think that’s the goal and that’s how it should…