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The grid for the 2026 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship has a few pieces of the puzzle confirmed but many more riders do not yet have their future confirmed, but the big news is that Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) will move to MotoGP next season. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) stays in red for next season but there are still plenty of seats up for grabs…

CONFIRMED FOR 2026: Bulega one of a handful announced for next year…

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.

OUT OF CONTRACT: everyone’s futures up in the air

While five riders have been confirmed for 2026, that means most haven’t – including Champions and title contenders. Bautista signed a one-year deal last year, so his future is unknown at this point. Looking up the grid, six-time Champion Jonathan Rea (Pata Maxus Yamaha) is also out of contract. At Honda HRC, both Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge have shown good pace in 2025 and will hope that secures them a spot for 2026. Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) and teammate Dominique Aegerter are both searching for a spot as is Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki WorldSBK Team) following his move to Kawasaki. Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) is also yet to have his future confirmed, meaning all but four factory seats are up for grabs for 2026.

In terms of Independent riders, everyone bar Vickers out of contract for 2026, including race winners Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) and Andrea Iannone (Team Pata GoEleven), plus podium contenders such as Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) as well as all four rookies on the 2025 grid.

WHAT’S BEEN SAID SO FAR: “Kenan’s still talking to other brands…”

The Czech Round is where talk of the future started ramping up and several riders spoke about 2026. Bautista announced his intention to race in 2026 but is waiting for an answer from the team. However, a month later at Misano, Bautista confirmed that, while he’d spoken to the team to take up the option, they wouldn’t be taking up their side. He said: “I communicated to the team that, from my side, I was happy and wanted to continue because I felt that, even with the rules, we’re working and arriving at a good performance. Then, Ducati said from their side, they don’t want to accept the conditions we signed so they broke the agreement; that’s all I can say because if you want to know more about this, you have to ask Ducati. I’m free for next year.” Rea also spoke about his future at Most, giving a one-word answer when asked if there was an update: “No”.

RAZGATLIOGLU'S MOVE: the knock-on effect…

Reigning Champion Razgatlioglu’s move to MotoGP comes with a big knock on effect, in both WorldSBK and MotoGP. Starting with his current paddock, it means two seats are available at the factory BMW squad with Michael van der Mark yet to put pen to paper. The MotoGP rider market is also in full swing, but the key focus point with Toprak’s move for 2026 is Pramac Yamaha: current rider Jack Miller was signed on a deal for 2025, while teammate Miguel Oliveira has a contract until the end of 2026.

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 TBA

Aruba.it Racing – Ducati – Nicolo Bulega and TBA

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