2026 MotoGP rider line-up: The grid so far, and all the rumours

Here is the latest in the rider line-up for the 2026 MotoGP season - plus the latest rumours about what might be next...

Ducati

Ducati’s “dream team” factory Lenovo line-up of Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez is confirmed for the 2025 and 2026 MotoGP seasons.

Likewise, the satellite Gresini Ducati line-up of Alex Marquez and 2025 rookie Fermin Aldeguer is also set for two seasons.

VR46’s Fabio di Giannantonio starts a new two-year factory contract in 2025, but there will be one Desmosedici potentially available for 2026 with team-mate Franco Morbidelli currently on a one-year deal.

Pedro Acosta has been rumoured as a target for VR46. Valentino Rossi is close to Acosta, and the VR46 team have failed to quell talk that an link-up might happen.

VR46's Uccio Salucci even confirmed they met Acosta for a coffee, although he also pledged loyalty to Morbidelli.

KTM

The recent financial turmoil aside, all four RC16 riders - Brad Binder and Pedro Acosta at the factory KTM team and Tech3’s new signings Maverick Vinales and Enea Bastianini - are comntracted until the end of 2026.

However, rumours persist that KTM could lose their crown jewel.

Acosta has warned the manufacturer that he will not be patient in his desperation for a bike which could allow him to challenge for race wins and championships.

Honda and VR46 have been mentioned as destinations but KTM will fancy their chances of keeping Acosta locked into his deal.

Tech3's Bastianini is also a question mark. In Italy, reports suggest he could find a new home in 2026.

KTM boss Pit Beirer has insisted they will retain their current four riders for next year.

Aprilia

Jorge Martin is the key issue at Aprilia.

The MotoGP penned a two-year deal at the start of 2025 but announced he wanted to use a break clause to find a new team for next year.

Martin has U-turned on that, despite the obvious interest from Honda, and confirmed he will stay. The competitiveness of Aprilia's bike has kept Martin interested.

Marco Bezzecchi, his factory teammate, is tied in for 2026 with Aprilia.

Trackhouse riders Raul Fernandez and 2025 rookie Ai Ogura are also starting two-year deals this year.

But Fernandez's stay in 2026 is far from guaranteed - although a string of top-10 finishes will help his cause.

Yamaha

The factory Monster Yamaha team of Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins are contracted until the end of 2026.

But Quartararo has repeatedly warned Honda that he won't be satisfied unless they provide a competitive bike - that is despite him being the highest-paid MotoGP rider.

Yamaha's desperation to become a front-running team again means there is also scrutiny on Rins' factory status despite him being contracted.

Significantly, Pramac Yamaha will welcome Toprak Razgatlioglu next year.

Razgatlioglu is swapping the World Superbike Championship for MotoGP in 2026.

That means either Jack Miller or Miguel Oliveira (or both) will be replaced. Miller's deal expires at the end of 2025, Oliveira's at the end of 2026. However, clauses mean the Portuguese is far from safe.

Honda

Honda could see the most rider changes for 2026 with LCR's Johann Zarco (Honda's leading rider of 2024, and often their best in 2025 too), Luca Marini and potentially rookie Somkiat Chantra free agents at the end of 2025.

That leaves Suzuki’s 2020 world champion Joan Mir as the only Honda rider officially confirmed for the 2026 MotoGP grid.

There is clamour for the vacant factory Honda race seat next year.

Zarco is among the contenders to step up from LCR where he already enjoys factory support.

Jorge Martin or Pedro Acosta were reportedly dream signings for Honda but could be out of reach. Alberto Puig has dismissed dream claims that they could try to bring Marc Marquez back.

Marini is strongly linked with penning a fresh deal to remain.