WorldSBK - Jerez

The Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto hosts the Pirelli Spanish Round of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship in 2026. This race serves as the final round of the WorldSBK season and often determines the Riders' and Constructors' Championships. Located in Jerez de la Frontera, Andalusia, this circuit provides a challenging technical test for riders and teams as they compete for world championship honors.

About the Event

The Pirelli Spanish Round brings World Superbike action to southern Spain. The 2026 edition features multiple racing classes across the weekend. WorldSBK riders compete in three races: two full-length races and one Superpole sprint race. The World Supersport class and the newly introduced World Sportbike Championship also hold two races each. The FIM Women's Circuit Racing World Championship adds another competitive element to the weekend schedule.

The event attracts fans from across Europe and beyond. The circuit can accommodate up to 125,000 spectators, making it one of the larger venues on the championship calendar. Tickets and hospitality packages are available for fans planning to attend the races in person.

The Circuit

Track Layout

Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto measures 4.423 kilometers in length. The track features 13 corners, with eight right-hand turns and five left-hand turns. The longest straight stretches 607 meters. This combination creates a technical challenge that tests rider skill across various speeds and racing situations.

Several corners stand out for their difficulty. The Curva de Jorge Lorenzo demands precision from riders. Turn 6, named after Dani Pedrosa, puts extreme stress on braking systems as superbikes decelerate from 281 km/h to 68 km/h in just 4.8 seconds. The Alex Crivillé corner presents one of the most dangerous sections on the track. The fast Ferrari corner often sees decisive overtaking moves during the final laps of races.

The pole position sits on the right side of the grid. The track surface and layout favor close racing, which has produced competitive action at previous WSBK events held at this venue.

Facilities and Climate

The circuit offers modern facilities for teams and spectators. The paddock area covers 48,294 square meters. A total of 43 pit boxes line the pit lane, each measuring 12 meters long by 6 meters wide. A distinctive UFO-shaped structure sits above the start/finish straight, added during renovations in 2002.

Jerez enjoys over 3,200 hours of sunshine annually. This weather pattern allows the circuit to operate nearly year-round. Many teams use Circuito de Jerez for pre-season testing because of these favorable conditions.

The circuit opened on December 8, 1985. Italian engineer Alessandro Rocci conceived the initial design, with Spanish engineer Manuel Medina Lara leading the construction. In 2018, the circuit received its current name to honor Ángel Nieto, the legendary Spanish motorcycle racer who won 13 world championship titles.

Competition Details

Classes

The World Superbike class represents the premier category. These machines are modified production-based motorcycles, unlike the custom prototypes used in MotoGP. Manufacturers must produce 2,000 units of a model to homologate it for WorldSBK competition.

World Supersport features 600cc motorcycles. The World Sportbike Championship replaces the previous WorldSSP300 class for 2026. This new category uses machines like the Yamaha R7, Aprilia RS 660, Honda CBR600RR, and Suzuki GSX-8R. These bikes target approximately 90 horsepower. A performance balancing system uses engine concession parts, torque-limited maps, rev limits, and minimum weight to create parity among different manufacturers.

The FIM Women's Circuit Racing World Championship provides female riders with their own competitive platform during the weekend.

Manufacturers and Teams

Major motorcycle manufacturers compete in the 2026 WorldSBK Championship. Ducati, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Honda, BMW, and Bimota all field entries in the series. Teams like Aruba.it Racing – Ducati, ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team, Pata Maxus Yamaha, and Bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team participate in the championship.

The series attracts top riders from around the globe. The full rider lineup for 2026 will be confirmed as the season approaches. Past champions and rising stars compete for podium positions and championship points throughout the season.

Technical Regulations

WorldSBK machines must meet specific technical requirements. The minimum weight for a Superbike is 168 kilograms. Riders who weigh less than the reference weight of 80 kilograms must add 50 percent of the weight difference to their machine.

Teams are limited to seven engines per season for each rider in the WorldSBK class. The maximum fuel tank capacity is 21 liters. Pirelli supplies all tires for World Superbike, with 24 tires allocated per race weekend.

A fuel flow limitation applies to the WorldSBK class. The specific limit for 2026 will be determined after analysis of data from the first half of the season. WorldSBK uses production-based aerodynamics. Manufacturers can adapt fairings and wings that are available on their road-legal models.

History of WSBK at Jerez

Circuito de Jerez hosted its first WorldSBK event in 1990. Raymond Roche claimed a double victory that year, marking the beginning of Ducati's successful period in the championship. The circuit has hosted 11 editions of WorldSBK over the years.

Kawasaki secured the manufacturers' title at Jerez in 2016. The circuit has produced memorable races and championship-deciding moments throughout its history with the series. The track's technical layout and the season-finale timing often create scenarios where multiple riders remain in championship contention.

The circuit sits approximately 90 kilometers south of Seville within the sherry-producing region of southern Spain. Visitors to Jerez can experience the local culture, gastronomy, and leisure activities that the region offers beyond the racing action.

The 2026 Pirelli Spanish Round promises competitive racing as riders and manufacturers battle for championship glory at this technical circuit. The combination of a challenging track layout, favorable weather conditions, and the season-finale stakes creates compelling competition across all classes.