The only Latin American host for the 2026 MotoGP World Championship, Goiânia is finalizing preparations to represent Brazil and host the world’s motorcycling elite from March 20 to 22, after a hiatus of more than 20 years without races on Brazilian soil. Governor Ronaldo Caiado, the coordinator of Goiás Social, First Lady Gracinha Caiado, and Vice-Governor Daniel Vilela inspected, this Wednesday (4/03), the final details of the work at the Ayrton Senna International Autodrome. The modernization of the structure is 95% complete and received an investment of R$ 250 million from the Government of Goiás.
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With 17 days to go until the MotoGP Brazil Grand Prix, the governor toured the facilities and emphasized that he guaranteed an internationally recognized quality track with the application of high technology in safety systems, pit lane facilities, complete medical support infrastructure, among other features. “We are showing the world that here we have the most sophisticated technology,” he emphasized. “We have recovered for Brazil and for the State of Goiás this great championship which is, without a doubt, a major global sensation,” he added.
Caiado mentioned the race control system, considered the most modern among tracks in Latin America. “You go to the pit and you have information, you have a view of everything, you have all the speed timing, the track aspect, ground sensors, and at the same time telemetry,” he highlighted. The requalification included, in addition to the reconstruction and widening of the track, the modernization and expansion of the 22 pits, reconfiguration of the VIP boxes with better track visibility and a new air conditioning system; construction of a new integrated tower; service access viaduct, among others. Landscaping services and new family restrooms are being finalized.
The coordinator of Goiás Social, Gracinha Caiado, highlighted that, in parallel, the event will have vocational workshops with teams from the Technological Colleges of Goiás focusing on professional qualification and strengthening technological education in the state. “In all the major events that take place in Goiás, we always leave a social mark. And it is no different with this grandeur that you are seeing here. So here there will also be top-quality mechanical workshops for motorcycles, bicycles, and cars,” she stated.
The partnership between the State and the Spanish company, Dorna Sports, manager of MotoGP, guaranteed the holding of the race in Goiânia between 2026 and 2030. “This event will reflect the greatness of our State, the greatness of Goiás. We will be ready to host any international motorsport event. This is today, without a doubt, the best autodrome in Brazil,” pointed out Vice-Governor Daniel Vilela, mentioning that the event places Goiás as a reference for other speed competitions.
Invited to sing the national anthem before the main MotoGP race, singer Gusttavo Lima was also at the site. “In these nearly 20 years of career, we have done events of all kinds, we have sung in various parts of the world, but it really is something new,” the artist stated. “We are in Goiás, the capital of sertanejo music, the birthplace of sertanejo music. I was thinking about mixing the national anthem with the viola caipira. It will be different. It is the time when the whole world will have its eyes on our state,” he added.
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“It is the largest motorcycling category in the world, with the best riders in the world, it is something that will be fantastic. The expectation is that more than 200,000 people will come here,” said the autodrome manager and former rider, Luiz Roberto Boettcher. The track’s homologation is scheduled for March 19. The act officially opens the Brazil Grand Prix on the competition calendar.
Full Operation
In a test event last Saturday (28/2), invited riders performed race simulations, with the presence of technicians from the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM). “In the safety part, they invested heavily; all corner exits have a larger runoff area, they have a considerably larger gravel trap,” evaluated the Goiás rider Eduardo Marques, current Brazilian Motorcycling champion in the 1000 Light category. “With new asphalt and all these changes, it is now possible to accelerate earlier and harder, and brake later, which translates into a much shorter lap time,” he exemplified.
The new safety systems, such as runoff areas, air mattresses, and inflatable barriers (airfence), were also tested. “[There are] 49 cameras throughout the circuit that monitor all the competition’s races. So, in any accident, a zoom is made; the cameras have a 38x optical zoom. Very high technology,” emphasized the architect and urban planner responsible for the track work, Carlos Wieck. The equipment was acquired by the state government and will remain at the autodrome.
Boost
On the MotoGP weekend, the capital is expected to attract more than 150,000 people, including national and international tourists. The impact also extends to the metropolitan region of Goiânia, with the generation of at least 4,000 direct and indirect jobs, in addition to strengthening tourism. The event is expected to generate around R$ 870 million in the state economy, in sectors such as hospitality, commerce, food, and services.
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