Summary
- UK viewers can watch through TNT Sports and HBO Max; US Sprint and race coverage is carried by FOX Sports.
- FanCode covers the weekend in India, Fox Sports and Kayo serve Australia, and Sportsnet carries MotoGP in Canada.
- Sunday’s race starts at 06:00 UK time, 01:00 Eastern, 10:30 in India and 16:00 in Sydney.
The 2026 Japanese Grand Prix takes place at Motegi from 2–4 October, with practice on Friday, qualifying and the Sprint on Saturday, and the main race on Sunday. The time difference means overnight viewing in the UK and North America, while India and Australia receive daytime starts.
The main MotoGP viewing options are TNT Sports in the UK, FOX Sports in the US, FanCode in India, Fox Sports and Kayo in Australia, and Sportsnet in Canada. Fans seeking every session can also use the championship’s subscription service, VideoPass.
Broadcaster coverage does not necessarily include the same sessions in every country. The distinction matters particularly for Friday practice and Saturday qualifying: a service carrying the Sprint and Grand Prix may not offer the complete weekend.
Where to watch the Japanese MotoGP by country
| Country | TV or streaming options | Coverage information |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | TNT Sports; HBO Max with the appropriate TNT Sports subscription | Live weekend coverage; check the TNT channel allocation for each session |
| United States | FOX Sports, with Sprint and Grand Prix coverage on FS1 or FS2 | Check the event listing for the allocated channel; VideoPass provides all sessions |
| India | FanCode; Eurosport India | FanCode lists coverage across all three days; check Eurosport’s session schedule |
| Australia | Fox Sports through Foxtel; Kayo Sports | Practice, qualifying and racing available live |
| Canada | Sportsnet streaming service | Sprint and Grand Prix coverage; check the Motegi listing for additional sessions |
| All-session option | MotoGP VideoPass | Practice, qualifying, Sprint and Grand Prix live and on demand, subject to subscription availability |
A subscription may be required. The times below are session starts, rather than the beginning of a broadcaster’s programme.
Japanese MotoGP start times: UK, US, Canada, India and Australia
| Session | Japan | UK | US/Canada Eastern | India | Sydney |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FP1 | Fri 2, 10:45 | Fri 2, 02:45 | Thu 1, 21:45 | Fri 2, 07:15 | Fri 2, 11:45 |
| Practice | Fri 2, 15:00 | Fri 2, 07:00 | Fri 2, 02:00 | Fri 2, 11:30 | Fri 2, 16:00 |
| FP2 | Sat 3, 10:10 | Sat 3, 02:10 | Fri 2, 21:10 | Sat 3, 06:40 | Sat 3, 11:10 |
| Qualifying 1 | Sat 3, 10:50 | Sat 3, 02:50 | Fri 2, 21:50 | Sat 3, 07:20 | Sat 3, 11:50 |
| Qualifying 2 | Sat 3, 11:15 | Sat 3, 03:15 | Fri 2, 22:15 | Sat 3, 07:45 | Sat 3, 12:15 |
| Sprint | Sat 3, 15:00 | Sat 3, 07:00 | Sat 3, 02:00 | Sat 3, 11:30 | Sat 3, 16:00 |
| Grand Prix | Sun 4, 14:00 | Sun 4, 06:00 | Sun 4, 01:00 | Sun 4, 10:30 | Sun 4, 16:00 |
Dates are in October. Japan uses JST, the UK BST, Eastern North America EDT and India IST. Sydney changes from AEST to AEDT on Sunday, 4 October. The timetable may change.
The complete Japanese GP timetable also includes warm-up and the Moto2 and Moto3 races.
How to watch in the UK
TNT Sports carries the Japanese MotoGP weekend, with streaming through HBO Max using a subscription that includes TNT Sports. Viewers should check the programme guide for the channel assigned to each session.
Friday’s Practice begins at 07:00 BST. Qualifying starts at 02:50 on Saturday, the Sprint follows at 07:00, and Sunday’s Grand Prix begins at 06:00.
How to watch in the US and Canada
In the United States, FOX Sports’ agreement covers Sprints and Grands Prix on FS1 or FS2. The precise channel should be checked in the Japanese GP listing; viewers wanting practice and qualifying as well can use VideoPass.
In Canada, Sportsnet provides MotoGP streaming, including Sprint and Grand Prix coverage. Its Motegi listing should be checked for the available sessions and the subscription required.
Both countries span several time zones. The Sprint starts at 02:00 Eastern on Saturday, equivalent to 23:00 Pacific on Friday. The Grand Prix starts at 01:00 Eastern on Sunday, equivalent to 22:00 Pacific on Saturday.
How to watch in India
FanCode lists coverage for all three days of the Japanese GP, making it the streaming option for viewers following practice, qualifying and racing. Eurosport India is also listed as a MotoGP broadcaster, with its television schedule determining which sessions are shown.
Friday Practice and Saturday’s Sprint both begin at 11:30 IST on their respective days. Q1 starts at 07:20 on Saturday, while the Grand Prix begins at 10:30 on Sunday.
How to watch in Australia
Fox Sports through Foxtel and Kayo Sports carry practice, qualifying and racing live. Foxtel also offers viewing through its app, while Kayo provides the streaming service.
Sydney viewers should account for the daylight-saving change on Sunday. The Sprint begins at 16:00 AEST on Saturday, and the Grand Prix starts at 16:00 AEDT on Sunday.
Those starts correspond to 15:00 in Brisbane for both races and 13:00 in Perth for both races. Sydney’s clocks move forward before Sunday’s programme.
Can you watch every session on VideoPass?
VideoPass offers every session live and on demand, including practice, qualifying, the Sprint and Grand Prix. It also provides Moto2 and Moto3 coverage and race replays for viewers who cannot watch the overnight sessions live.
Friday’s hour-long Practice is particularly important because it determines which riders advance directly to Q2. Saturday qualifying then sets the starting grid for both the Sprint and Sunday’s Grand Prix.
Motegi hosts the first event in a back-to-back sequence, followed by the Indonesian Grand Prix at Mandalika on 9–11 October.
MotoGP today: FAQ
What time does Japanese MotoGP practice start?
FP1 begins on Friday, 2 October, at 10:45 in Japan, 02:45 BST in the UK, 07:15 IST in India and 11:45 AEST in Sydney and Melbourne. In North America, it starts on Thursday at 21:45 EDT in New York and Toronto, or 18:45 PDT in Los Angeles and Vancouver. Friday’s session deciding direct Q2 entry begins at 15:00 in Japan.
Is Red Bull returning to Honda in MotoGP?
Yes. Honda has confirmed that Red Bull will return as a partner of its factory MotoGP programme from 2027. Their previous partnership ran from 2015 to 2023. The reunion coincides with Fabio Quartararo’s arrival and the championship’s switch to 850cc bikes.
Is Maverick Viñales racing at the Japanese MotoGP?
Yes. Viñales is returning at Motegi after an absence caused by his shoulder injury. Ahead of the weekend, he questioned KTM’s intentions towards him and revealed that he had thought he might not race again this season.
Where can I watch the 2026 Japanese MotoGP?
The main options are TNT Sports/HBO Max in the UK, FOX Sports in the US, FanCode in India, Fox Sports/Foxtel and Kayo in Australia, and Sportsnet in Canada. VideoPass offers every session.
