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The upcoming 2026 MotoGP season is poised to make history, featuring the most decorated grid of world champions ever assembled. For the first time since the motorcycle world championship began in 1949, the premier class will host 15 full-time riders who have collectively amassed an astounding 32 world titles across various categories. This unprecedented concentration of talent marks a significant milestone in the sport’s rich history.
The previous record for champions on the grid was 14, achieved during the 2022 season. While the number dipped to 13 in the subsequent years, the influx of new talent for 2026 is set to shatter this record. The opening grand prix in Buriram, Thailand, on March 1st will witness this historic lineup.
Throughout the legendary 500cc era, the premier class grid never exceeded 10 world champions. This trend continued even into the early MotoGP era. In 2002, the dawn of the four-stroke era, seven world champions graced the grid, including icons like Valentino Rossi, Loris Capirossi, Max Biaggi, and Kenny Roberts.
As emerging talents, including future MotoGP champions Dani Pedrosa, Jorge Lorenzo, and Casey Stoner, ascended from intermediate classes, the number of world champions on the MotoGP grid steadily climbed. By 2010, this figure had reached 12, with riders like Andrea Dovizioso, Nicky Hayden, Marco Simoncelli, Alvaro Bautista, and World Superbike champion Ben Spies joining the fray.
Since 2010, the MotoGP grid has consistently featured over 10 world champions. It reached a peak of 13 in 2021 and the prior record of 14 in 2022. Although wildcard and replacement riders like Pol Espargaro and Augusto Fernandez briefly elevated the total count of champions competing in MotoGP last year to 15, never had so many shared the starting grid simultaneously.
What is the significance of the 2026 MotoGP grid being the most world-title-laden in history? It signifies an unparalleled level of experience and proven success on the starting grid, promising exceptionally competitive racing as 15 riders with championship pedigrees vie for victory.
Marc Marquez will lead this elite group, defending his ninth world title and seventh in MotoGP. He is closely followed by his current teammate Francesco Bagnaia, who boasts three premier-class titles and one in Moto2. A major new addition is Turkey’s Toprak Razgatlioglu, a three-time World Superbike champion making his MotoGP debut.
In addition to Marquez and Bagnaia, the 2026 grid will include three other former MotoGP world champions: Joan Mir (2020), Fabio Quartararo (2021), and Jorge Martin (2024). Both Mir and Martin also hold Moto3 world titles, further underscoring their championship pedigree.
The remaining nine riders on the grid, including Johann Zarco, Alex Marquez, Pedro Acosta, Franco Morbidelli, Enea Bastianini, Ai Ogura, Maverick Vinales, Brad Binder, and fellow rookie Diogo Moreira, have all secured at least one world championship title in the intermediate categories. This depth of talent is truly remarkable.
This impressive roster also benefits from the presence of experienced test and development riders with world titles to their names, such as Pol Espargaro and Augusto Fernandez. Furthermore, former Moto2 world champion and Honda test rider Stefan Bradl, along with KTM test rider and three-time world champion Dani Pedrosa, could potentially participate, further boosting the champion count.
The 2026 MotoGP grid represents a convergence of champions at an unprecedented scale, promising a season filled with intense rivalries and exceptional racing performances. Fans can anticipate a truly historic year of motorcycle Grand Prix racing.
