SILLY SEASON FOR 2026: Oliveira signs for BMW as Chantra, Dixon complete Honda’s factory line-up
There have been some big announcements recently, including Jonathan Rea announcing his retirement from full-time racing
Several more questions about the grid for the 2026 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship have been answered. The grid is slowly coming together piece by piece, however a handful of high-profile rider’s futures are still up in the air. The announcements keep rolling in as the months progress with factory seats and Independent rides alike starting to be secured, but who’s going where for 2026?
CONFIRMED FOR 2026: the grid starts to take shape
The first riders to be announced for 2026 were the bimota by Kawasaki Racing Duo of Alex Lowes and Axel Bassani, who had their futures announced heading into the Czech Round in mid-May, with the pair being secured for next season. Ryan Vickers (Motocorsa Racing) is also contracted for next year at the Independent Ducati-powered Motocorsa Racing outfit, having signed with the team for 2025 and 2026 when he joined them. Beyond that, the make-up of the grid is unknown with the majority of the grid out of contract. Between Most and Misano, it was confirmed that Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) would stay with Yamaha for 2026 and 2027. Ahead of his home round, Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) was announced as having signed a one-year contract with the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati squad to take him through to the end of the 2026 campaign. Elsewhere, on the same day as Bulega’s renewal, it was announced that ‘El Turco’ would join Pramac Racing for 2026. American rider Garrett Gerloff will be staying in green, the Texan putting pen to paper on a one-year deal that will see him remain in green through 2026.
Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) will remain in place for 2026 and 2027, having signed a new two-year deal with his Marc VDS Ducati squad. In the build-up to Donington, it was confirmed that Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) would stay with Barni Ducati for a second season in 2026. Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) was the next domino to fall when he renewed his two-year deal with his Yamaha team, securing his future through 2027. Shortly after, Gardner’s teammate was confirmed with Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) making the move to WorldSBK for two seasons. A key seat was announced in the August break with reigning Independent Riders’ title winner Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) moving to the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team in place of MotoGP-bound Razgatlioglu. During the Aragon Round, Xavi Vierge's future was confirmed with the Spaniard moving to Pata Maxus Yamaha for 2026. The Tuesday after Aragon was a big day as the 2026 factory seats were completed: Miguel Oliveira will join BMW for 2026, while Honda HRC’s line-up will be Somkiat Chantra and Jake Dixon.
A BIG MONDAY IN AUGUST: Rea announces retirement as Lecuona moves to Ducati
The 25th August, 2025 was a busy day in terms of silly season – and one that will live long in the memories of WorldSBK fans everywhere. First, Iker Lecuona was announced as leaving Honda HRC and joining Aruba.it Racing – Ducati for 2026; confirming that Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) would leave the team despite messages saying the door wasn’t closed. Then, just 90 minutes later, Jonathan Rea (Pata Maxus Yamaha) announced his retirement from full-time racing at the end of 2025, bringing an end to an illustrious and record-breaking career. However, a day later, Bautista had his future announced: he would join the Barni Spark Racing Team for 2026, keeping him on the Panigale V4R but with an Independent outfit.
THE REMAINING SEATS: GoEleven Ducati a high profile vacancy…
It means 17 riders have now been confirmed for the 2026 WorldSBK campaign, including all the factory seats at Bimota, BMW, Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki and Yamaha. Attention now turns to the Independent outfits who are yet to announce. One of the more high-profile seats currently vacant is at Team Pata GoEleven, with Andrea Iannone yet to have his plans confirmed; he stated on Sunday at Aragon that he felt he had a ‘good chance’ to be on the grid next season. The Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team, MGM BONOVO Racing and the PETRONAS MIE Honda Racing Team are yet to announce plans for next season.
Confirmed 2026 grid so far (TBA = to be announced)
Bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team – Alex Lowes and Axel Bassani
Motocorsa Racing – Ryan Vickers
Pata Maxus Yamaha – Andrea Locatelli and Xavi Vierge
Aruba.it Racing – Ducati – Nicolo Bulega and Iker Lecuona
Kawasaki Racing Team – Garrett Gerloff
ELF Marc VDS Racing Team – Sam Lowes
Barni Spark Racing Team – Yari Montella and Alvaro Bautista
GYTR GRT Yamaha Racing Team – Remy Gardner and Stefano Manzi
ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team – Danilo Petrucci and Miguel Oliveira
Honda HRC – Somkiat Chanta and Jake Dixon
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