Budapest, 19 September 2024 – After thirty-three years, MotoGP, the premier category of high-speed motorcycle racing will return to Hungary on the weekend of 22-24 August 2025. Next season, the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) will also be held in Hungary on 25-27 July, marking the return of the series after thirty-five years. The events are promoted and organised by HUMDA Hungarian Mobility Development Agency Zrt., a member of the Széchenyi University Group, and will be held at the Balaton Park Circuit in Balatonfőkajár, where a number of upgrades will be undertaken before the events.
The Balaton Park Circuit will be included in the 2025 MotoGP calendar, bringing the world’s most exciting sport back to Hungary next season. In addition, the world’s premier production-based motorcycle racing championship, WorldSBK, will also make its return to Hungary. The Balaton Park racetrack and the surrounding facilities will undergo works in order to host the events, providing modern infrastructure and high-quality services for fans, teams, riders and event personnel. Fans can look forward to a top-class sporting experience in a spectacular tourist setting next to Lake Balaton, the largest lake in Central Europe.
“We’re very happy to announce that Balaton Park will be on the 2025 calendar for MotoGP™ and WorldSBK,” says Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports. “The circuit is in a spectacular location and will be a fantastic destination for fans to come and see the world’s most exciting sport in action. Work is underway to get the venue ready for its historic debut on the calendar, adding another chapter to Hungary’s history in motorcycle Grand Prix racing, and we’re very much looking forward to returning to a key market in central Europe.”
“I would like to thank Carmelo Ezpeleta for the trust he has placed in us over the years and of course the support of the Hungarian Government. The hard work of many years are finally coming to fruition, thanks to which we have been included in the calendar of the most watched sports in the world. It is a testament to the strength of our country that, despite the difficulties, we are here today and can embark on this new path of shared success. Motorsport is about emotion and passion, but there is even more to it than that. We believe that these sports will promote the engineering knowledge and expertise of our country, the excellence of our riders, the touristic complexity of our country and, of course, the fantastic hospitality and support. And speaking of cheering, the Hungarian heart is beating stronger for a Hungarian success, so we will make sure that our talents can show their skills on the home races next year and we will cheer them on together,” emphasized Balázs Weingartner, Chairman of the Board of Directors of HUMDA Zrt., the national promoter of the competitions.
The first MotoGP race in Hungary was held in 1990 and the second in 1992. In the years since then, Hungary has also celebrated Gábor Talmácsi, who became the first Hungarian rider to win the world title in the 125cc category in 2007. World Superbike also came to Hungary between 1988 and 1990.
“Hosting MotoGP and Superbike races in Hungary is not only a great sporting event, but also an opportunity to boost the careers of young riders, to bring the sport into focus and to give perspective to the next generation. My aim is to increase the recognition of motorcycling, not just as a competitive sport, but also as a means of transport, and to contribute to the development of young people and their knowledge about safety on the road. The 2025 races can play a major role in raising awareness about this,” said Gábor Talmácsi.
The Balatonfőkajár circuit will undergo additional work to meet the requirements of the FIM Grade A licence to host the MotoGP and Superbike races. Two smaller radius corners will be created on the inside of the original track at Turn 7, maintaining the high speed while increasing the run-off area. At Turn 11, a new chicane will reduce speed while increasing overtaking opportunities. Directly below the new hotel at the track, a technical corner combination will also be built, which will be a great challenge for the riders. These are additions that will make the Balaton Park Circuit race ready for MotoGP and WorldSBK.
“We are proud to host the MotoGP and Superbike teams at the Balaton Park Circuit, events of great importance for the whole Balaton region. We are excited about the opportunity and will start making the necessary additions to the circuit in October. This investment has been in our plans so far, so we have the extra money to do this. We will provide the safest conditions for the world’s best motorcycle racers,” Adrienn Walterné Dancsó, Operations Director of Balaton Park Circuit.
“When you are on your way to the finish line, every milestone on the way is an important confirmation of the right direction. Back in 2004, as President of the Hungarian Motorsport Association, I had the opportunity to meet Dorna and dream of the return of motorcycle Grand Prix racing in Hungary, which has since become known as MotoGP, the most exciting motorsport event in the world. This goal has been on the horizon several times, unfortunately there have been more and more turns on the horizon, but one thing is for sure, we have never been so close and under such clear skies. Our eyes are smiling under our helmets at the last turn before the finish line and we are concentrating all our energy on waving the chequered in front of the roaring crowd so we Hungarians can enjoy that feeling in our home country as well,” said Henrik Hermann, President of the Hungarian Motorsport Association.
Tickets for the 2025 Hungarian MotoGP and Superbike races are expected to go on sale later this year. HUMDA’s aim is to make motor racing accessible to as many of our fellow countrymen as possible. For more information, please visit the official websites info@motogpofhungary.com and superbikeofhungary.com, as well as their social media pages. Letters of interest can be sent to info@motogpofhungary.com and info@superbikeofhungary.com and press enquiries to media@motogpofhungary.com and media@superbikeofhungary.com.
