Thailand’s Buriram Circuit has been officially appointed as the replacement for Qatar’s Lusail Circuit as the opening series of MotoGP 2025.

MotoGP Thailand will have this privilege for two seasons until MotoGP 2026.

The change marks the first time in 25 years that the MotoGP world championship will start in the Southeast Asian region again.

The last MotoGP competition season started in the Southeast Asian region, was in 1999 at the Sepang Circuit, Malaysia.

This is also the first time since 2007 that Qatar will not open the MotoGP season except in 2020 due to Covid-19 and 2023 due to circuit renovations.

The selection of Thailand as the championship opener is none other than because the Southeast Asian market is considered very strategic for Dorna.

“We are excited to announce that in 2025 and 2026, the kick off will be held at MotoGP Thailand in Buriram,” said Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta, as reported by GridOto.com from Todocircuito.

“Southeast Asia is an important market, both for sports and also for our manufacturers and partners,” Ezpeleta explained.

Additionally, Dorna appears to be trying to avoid having too many races in Southeast Asia in a relatively short period of time.

Because as is known, the holding of races in Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia is too close together so it is considered to have the potential to harm each other.

So, with the events held far apart, fans are expected to feel a different sensation when watching the three races live on the circuit.

“Thailand plays a vital role in the area, the passion is evident in the large crowds that flock to Buriram every year,” Ezpeleta said.

“We know they will create an incredible atmosphere as the first round of the championship season,” he stressed.