Harley-Davidson & MotoGP announce new global racing series

The grid is expected to comprise six to eight teams, with two riders in each team.

American motorcycle manufacturer Harley-Davidson and MotoGP are launching a new global racing championship featuring Harley-Davidson bagger motorcycles. The series will debut in 2026 and will connect the Harley community across the US to MotoGP.

The twelve-race series will compete at six Grands Prix across Europe and North America, using specially race-prepared Harley-Davidson Road Glide motorcycles in two races per round. The grid is expected to comprise six to eight teams, with two riders in each team, supported by Harley-Davidson Factory Racing.

“This is a bold new step for Harley-Davidson’s global racing ambitions. Harley-Davidson has been pioneering performance on and off the road since our beginnings over 120 years ago. Most recently, we’ve showcased performance through our racing at the MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers series and performance-differentiated products such as our new CVO RR motorcycle and our CVO Road Glide ST. We’ve seen how performance has resonated with riders and fans, and we know they’re keen for more,” said Jochen Zeitz, Chairman, President and CEO, Harley-Davidson. “With this new series, we’re excited to bring a new form of racing to the world stage. Not only is this a bold and new chapter for our brand, celebrating our heritage while pushing into the future, but it will add an amazing spectacle to the greatest motorcycle show in the world.”

“This collaboration with Harley-Davidson is an exciting opportunity for both parties,” said Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of MotoGP rights holder Dorna Sports. “We offer a truly international platform for Harley-Davidson to expand their global reach, and Harley-Davidson is perfectly placed to join us in bringing our sport to new audiences as we team up with one of the most iconic lifestyle brands in the US. This partnership has big potential for both our strategies and will deliver a real spectacle for fans, bringing a completely new flavour to the Grand Prix weekends where the series will compete.

More details on the series, including how fans will be able to watch and stay up-to-date, will be revealed soon.

Currenty, Harley-Davidsons already feature on the American racing scene in the King of the Baggers series.

Source: MotoGP.com