HARLEY-DAVIDSON AND MOTOGP™ UNVEIL “HARLEY-DAVIDSON BAGGER WORLD CUP” – THE WORLD’S FIRST GLOBAL BAGGER RACING CHAMPIONSHIP
Official Series Name and Full 2026 Race Calendar Announced at Austria’s Red Bull Ring
SPIELBERG, AU – (August 15, 2025) Harley-Davidson and MotoGP™ today officially unveiled the Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup, along with its full 2026 race calendar, marking the launch of the first global racing series dedicated to high-performance Harley-Davidson bagger motorcycles. Announced at a press conference at Austria’s iconic Red Bull Ring, the six-round series will debut next year, bringing American V-Twin power to legendary circuits across the U.S. and Europe.
Based on Harley-Davidson’s Grand American Touring platform, Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup race bikes will be radically transformed for speed, agility, and spectacle, offering fans a visceral new kind of racing experience unlike anything currently on the MotoGP™ schedule.
The series kicks off in the United States before making its way across Europe and onto the global stage. From the hills of Mugello to the historic straights of Silverstone, the Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup will bring distinctive American performance and international competition together in a thrilling, six-round championship.
2026 Race Calendar
- Grand Prix of The Americas – Circuit of the Americas (USA): March 27–29
- Grand Prix of Italy – Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello (Italy): May 29–31
- Grand Prix of the Netherlands – TT Circuit Assen (Netherlands): June 26–28
- Grand Prix of the United Kingdom – Silverstone Circuit (UK): August 7–9
- Grand Prix of Aragon – MotorLand Aragón (Spain): August 28–30
- Grand Prix of Austria – Red Bull Ring (Austria): September 18–20 – Championship Round
Austria’s Red Bull Ring will host the final and title-awarding round, honoring the country’s deep motorsport heritage and growing prominence on the global racing stage.
“The launch of the Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup signals a bold new era for Harley-Davidson and for the sport of motorcycle racing,” said Jochen Zeitz, Chairman, President and CEO, Harley-Davidson. “This series is about pushing limits, of our machines, our riders, and our brand, on a global stage. We’re proud to partner with MotoGP™ to bring this vision to life.”
Carlos Ezpeleta, Chief Sporting Officer of MotoGP™ rights holder Dorna Sports: “We’re always looking for ways to innovate and expand, both at the track for our record crowds as we continue our evolution, and to grow the reach of the sport even further – staying faithful to what fans love about MotoGP™ but finding ways to connect with new audiences. The Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup fulfills the brief. It will be a fantastic addition to race weekends for fans onsite at the same time as connecting our sport to one of the most iconic lifestyle and cultural brands in North America – and the world.”
The Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup was first teased earlier this year during the Grand Prix of France at the legendary Le Mans circuit, where Harley-Davidson and MotoGP™ shared their joint vision for a global bagger racing championship. The response from fans, media, and the industry was immediate and enthusiastic, setting the stage for today’s full reveal.
Prospective teams, riders, and sponsors are now invited to engage with the series as preparations accelerate for the 2026 debut season.
Since more superbikes get sold globally and have increasing popularity with youth in USA as well– i think this may be a way of getting people interested in tourers and the lifestyle choice of motorcycle touring. Yet, whether people will watch a bagger racing and buy it to go places is questionable.