The Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) has confirmed that negotiations with Dorna Sports, the promoter of the MotoGP World Championship, have concluded and that a plan is now moving forward for a 5-year extension of the contract for the Thai race (2027-2031). The matter is slated to be submitted to the Cabinet of Thailand at an upcoming meeting scheduled for 4 November.
According to SAT Governor Dr. Kongsak Yodmanee, the Thai Grand Prix (“ThaiGP”) has become a major strategic asset for Thailand, generating an economic value of about ฿24 billion over six years from tourism, jobs, investment and local economic stimulation. He emphasised that although the licence fee will increase slightly, the cost remains modest compared to other countries and is deemed highly cost-effective for Thailand.
If cabinet approval is granted, SAT plans to immediately invite the private sector to become concrete partners in the event’s organisation as soon as the contract is signed — with the goal of elevating MotoGP Thailand into a true mega-event that delivers maximal national benefit.
SAT noted that the current contract runs through 2026, and the extension would cover the period 2027–2031. As part of the new agreement, Thailand aims to raise the quality of the event in line with global trends, enhance its soft-power branding, and leverage the ThaiGP’s unique advantages and strong position within the global MotoGP calendar.
Governance steps to follow the contract approval include the legal formalities, the allocation of budget from both the annual government budget and from the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF), and swift mobilization of state-private collaboration given the timing coincides with the final year of the current contract (2026).
In parallel, SAT confirmed that the 2026 race (under the name “PT Grand Prix of Thailand 2026”) will soon hold a press conference to launch ticket sales on Tuesday, 11 November 2025. The race will be introduced as the season opener for the 2026 championship, consistent with earlier announcements from Dorna.
For tickets, fans will be able to purchase via the All Ticket Counter Service in 7-Eleven stores nationwide or online at www.allticket.com from the launch date at 14:00 hrs. Further details will be posted on the Chang Circuit Buriram social media channels.
The move represents a major reaffirmation of Thailand’s commitment to headline global motorsport, boost sports-tourism revenues, and reinforce Thailand’s position in the international racing ecosystem.
