On 20 February 2026, the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in Australia sets the stage as a brand-new WorldSBK season roars into life, shaping up to be one of the most exciting championships in recent years.
By the numbers alone, it is an impressive spectacle: 111 riders, 71 teams, 34 rookies, 25 countries, 24 female competitors, 19 different motorcycle models, and one new racing category.
The paddock reflects a refreshingly diverse manufacturer landscape, with Yamaha leading the way with a total of 48 motorcycles, including 36 YZF-R7s, 6 YZF-R1s, and 9 YZF-R9s. A major influence is the FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship (WorldWCR), launched in 2024 as a single-make series in which every rider competes on the Yamaha YZF-R7. Beyond Yamaha, familiar forces still dominate, led by the ever-present Ducati Panigale (18), with Kawasaki’s unmistakable green close behind (11).
The benchmark team remains Aruba.it Racing – Ducati, defending its title as Teams’ World Champion. Yet the spotlight shines brightest on the rider at the summit: Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, now spearheading ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK. His closest challenger appears to be Nicolo Bulega (Ducati), the only rider who consistently applied pressure throughout 2025, finishing just 13 points adrift. Third overall last season was Álvaro Bautista, closing the year with 337 points.
The grid spans the globe, with Italy leading the way with 31 riders, followed by Spain (23), Great Britain (10), France (7), and the Czech Republic (5). Single-rider nations include Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Denmark, Greece, Mexico, New Zealand, Switzerland, and Thailand. Notably, South Africa—previously represented by Sheridan Morais and Steven Odendaal, both last competing in 2024—has no entrants on the 2026 grid.
The 2026 WorldSBK Championship features four categories:
WorldSBK (Superbike)
WorldSSP (Supersport)
WorldSPB (Sportbike) – an all-new class replacing SSP300
WorldWCR (Women’s World Championship)
The title fight will unfold across 12 rounds in 12 different countries. For fans wanting a front-row experience from anywhere in the world, the official WorldSBK VideoPass delivers live racing, highlights, and exclusive content via http://www.worldsbk.com.
So, who’s your pick for the crown this year?
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