Here’s a list of potential new MotoGP entrants

MotoGP has never been more popular as fan engagement, viewership figures and weekend attendances all grew in 2025. But that’s all before 2027’s new regulations come into effect, which will see teams switch from the current 1,000cc engines to the new 850cc power units.  

MotoGP is also proving to be more popular year-on-year with fans, even without any changes with regard to new entrants. But that could all change sooner rather than later, which means we’re going to rank the five most likely brands to join the sport.

2027 was considered the prime opportunity for someone new to join the sport, and although that’s far from a closed door, it seems as though we might be waiting a little while longer.

That said, it does appear as though some brands are already thinking about the long term when it comes to entering MotoGP, so let’s get started. 

5 - Kawasaki 

We’re starting off this list with the least likely to join the sport, which is Kawasaki. The Japanese company has pretty much ruled out any return to MotoGP, at least for the time being. 

After joining the premier class for the 2003 season, Kawasaki pulled the plug on its Grand Prix participation at the end of the 2008 season, due to the large costs involved with running a MotoGP project and the financial global crisis that was in full flow. Kawasaki has continued racing in the Superbike World Championship since and went on to win multiple titles, including six in a row with Jonathan Rea (2015-2020).

However, it is still not planning a return to MotoGP mainly because of financial and strategic reasons. 

4 - CFMoto

One of the most intriguing brands on this list is CFMoto, which appears to be aiming big with regard to its racing future. The Chinese company is rumoured to have its sights set on WorldSBK, but it could also look to make a statement by joining MotoGP, where it’s also been rumoured as a potential replacement for KTM. 

That would mean KTM leaving the sport entirely, which, at this point, there’s no indication that it will. In fact, with KTM steadying its financial situation in recent months, it looks more likely than not that the Austrian brand will continue to race in MotoGP for the foreseeable future, although you never quite know when it comes to racing. 

Although CFMoto might go down the route of WorldSBK with its new V4 SR-RR superbike prototype, it wouldn’t be a complete surprise to see it double down and join MotoGP in the years to come. There’s also the potential appeal of becoming the first Chinese company to race in MotoGP.  

CFMoto already has race teams in Moto2 and Moto3, so the step up to MotoGP would make a lot of sense. 

3 - Suzuki

Third on our list is Suzuki, and this is where things start to get very interesting, as the Hamamatsu-based company has maintained an interest in the series since its departure in 2022.

Suzuki also brought out a new GSX-R1000R earlier this year, and while it is purely a superbike and therefore would not be used for MotoGP, you have to look beyond that.

Bringing out a new version of its flagship superbike was a long time coming, and it arrived with a raft of technical upgrades and race-developed aero. So while that kind of means nothing with regards to MotoGP, it could also mean something. 

Suzuki is not in the business of bringing out a plethora of new models every year, so when it does bring a new bike to the table, it grabs our attention. And when it happens to be the most race-ready bike in its entire range, we definitely take note.

Beyond that, there’s the not-so-little fact that Suzuki has previously confirmed its interest in rejoining MotoGP. Suzuki had a lot of success the last time it raced in MotoGP, which included winning the world championship with Joan Mir in 2020.

A return does not appear to be imminent but the company’s president, Toshihiro Suzuki, previously left the door open when speaking about the subject. 

2 - MV Agusta

Next up is MV Agusta, and while you might be thinking second on this list is quite high, there are reasons as to why the Italian brand should be ranked here. 

During the summer there were interesting reports made, which shed light on MV Agusta being interested in joining MotoGP, particularly in 2027. 

Speaking exclusively with GPOne on the subject a few months ago, MV Agusta’s new Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Hubert Trunkenpolz, said this: 

“We need to figure out what the technical MotoGP regulations will look like for MV Agusta when Liberty Media gets involved.

“We hope the regulations will be aligned with the conditions in Formula One, where a constructor team like McLaren can lease competitive engines from Mercedes and win. Quite honestly, with the resources available, MV Agusta won’t be able to develop its own 850cc four-cylinder engine for MotoGP.”

That means building a MotoGP project from the ground up seems difficult at this stage for MV. But if it was able to find an engine partner, should the rules allow it in the future, then it’s possible that MV would jump at the chance of joining the championship. 

MV Agusta also has a rich history of racing success in the Grand Prix paddock, so a return would be a welcome sight for many, not least the company itself. 

1 - BMW 

BMW, which is the back-to-back winner of the WorldSBK championship thanks to Toprak Razgatlioglu’s incredible exploits over the last two seasons, has been heavily linked with MotoGP for a while now.

The German brand has confirmed its interest in joining MotoGP on more than one occasion, and it seemed as though the upcoming rule change in 2027 would allow that to happen. However, BMW Motorrad CEO Markus Flasch recently admitted that joining the series in 2027 is likely to prove difficult.

Losing Razgatlioglu to Pramac Yamaha for 2026 might not have helped things, as it’s likely the Turkish rider would have been the centrepiece of a new BMW MotoGP project. 

But despite that, BMW is still considered the most likely brand to join MotoGP in the near future. More light could be shed on BMW’s potential Grand Prix plans in 2026.

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