MotoGP will return to one of the championship’s most beloved tracks in 2025, with the Czech Grand Prix at Brno rejoining the schedule next season after a four-year hiatus.
A press conference on Thursday, as previewed in an earlier version of this story, confirmed the news that the track will return to the calendar next year in a deal running up to and including a 2029 race.
The historic track was a firm favourite but fell off the schedule due to safety concerns relating to low grip levels and the need for a full resurfacing.
Unable to find the funds to do so, previous owners the Abraham family (whose son Karel raced in the premier class for eight seasons) sold the venue in August 2023 to Karel Hubacek.
Despite rumours suggesting that it could be redeveloped for housing, Hubacek’s Shakai company has instead kept it alive as a racing venue and, with the backing of Czech bank Creditas, finally looks set to make the necessary maintenance work to allow it to return to the MotoGP calendar.
That fits with recent statements from Czech Autoclub president Jan Stovicek, who has made returning MotoGP to Brno something of a personal mission since the track’s takeover by Hubacek and the promise of a new cash injection.
"I would like to thank the Autoclub of the Czech Republic and Dorna Sports for their genuine support of the idea of bringing the Masaryk Circuit back onto the map of the most prestigious motorcycle championship," said Hubacek in the announcement.
"At the same time, I greatly appreciate the favourable stance taken by the government, the South Moravian Region, and the City of Brno. At this moment, we are fully focused on the next key phases of preparation to ensure that fans will have an exceptional experience."
It’s also likely that the race will once again receive government backing to help pay the multimillion Euro hosting fee that it takes to put on a MotoGP race, a normal situation given the additional tax revenue that hosting a race normally brings to local economies.
"As a region, we have also agreed with the city that we are able to contribute what we gave when the event was held last time," regional governor Jan Grolich also confirmed to national publication Deník.
There’s likely also an opportunity for support from the national government in the capital Prague, given that current Czech president Petr Pavel is a motorcycle racing fan who recently met with FIM president Jorge Viegas when he attended rounds of both the World Superbike championship and MXGP in the country.
Pavel, an ex-army general who regularly attends official events by motorcycle, even injured his ribs earlier this year after crashing while taking part in an amateur enduro event.
The 2025 MotoGP calendar is yet to be officially announced despite some details being confirmed in recent months, but is believed to be in the final stages of drafting with an announcement due in the next weeks.
One date that has already been confirmed is that of next year’s British Grand Prix, which will move from early August to late May, freeing up space in the calendar that traditionally saw the Brno race happen back to back with the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring.
The Buriram circuit in Thailand will also host the MotoGP season opener next year and in 2026.
