ERNÉE (France) 2 October 2026 – Infront Moto Racing is proud to announce that Mérida, the capital of Extremadura, will join the FIM Motocross World Championship in 2027 as the new home of the MXGP of Spain on 17-18 April. Alongside the MXGP and MX2 World Championship classes, the weekend will also host rounds of the EMX250 and EMX125 European Championships, bringing the full spectrum of international motocross to one of Spain's most historic destinations.
The arrival of Mérida is part of a wider project for MXGP in Spain. Both Spanish events on the calendar, the MXGP of Spain in Mérida and the MXGP of Andalucia will be delivered by the same organisers, Seventy 6 Motion. Bringing both events under one partner creates a single, coherent vision for the championship in Spain, built on three pillars: stability, growth and innovation.
Each event is secured under a three-year agreement starting in 2027 and running until the end of the 2029 season. This long-term commitment gives riders, teams, partners and fans a clear horizon in a nation that has celebrated many World Champions in recent seasons, including Guillem Farres, current MX2 World Champion and Daniela Guillen, 2026 WMX World Champion; and which now looks ahead to the next generation of Spanish talent ready to fight for the title on home ground.
WHERE HISTORY MEETS MOTOCROSS
Founded in 25 BC as Augusta Emerita, Mérida became the capital of the Roman province of Lusitania and today preserves one of the most important Roman archaeological ensembles in the world. The Roman Theatre, Amphitheatre, Circus, Temple of Diana and Roman Bridge are among the landmarks that have earned the city its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The arrival of MXGP creates a unique connection between an ancient Roman capital and the energy, speed and spectacle of modern motocross, with more than 2,000 years of history forming the backdrop to a brand-new chapter for the championship.
A CITY OF CULTURE, TOURISM AND MAJOR EVENTS
Events such as the International Classical Theatre Festival and Emerita Lvdica have shown Mérida's ability to transform its historic setting into a stage for major national and international occasions, experience that will now be put to work for the world's premier motocross championship. Mérida is now turned to the future with development in its accommodation capacity and annual programme of major events continuing to grow.
The region itself of Extremadura also offers spectacular natural landscapes, open countryside, historic cities, renowned gastronomy and a strong connection with outdoor life, making it a natural fit for a sport rooted in the land.
Its location also gives the event an important cross-border dimension. Mérida sits on the Madrid to Lisbon and Seville to northern Spain transport corridors, placing the new venue within easy reach of fans from across Spain and neighbouring Portugal. Badajoz Airport is approximately 50 kilometres away, while Seville and Lisbon provide additional international gateways.
David Luongo, CEO & President of Infront Moto Racing: "Not long ago it was difficult to have races in Spain, and the Spanish Federation and the whole motocross community there have done fantastic work since. This year Spanish riders won three titles, in the European classes, in WMX and in MX2. The MXGP of Andalucia had one of the biggest crowds of the season, with an organiser and a region that truly embrace motocross. As promoter it is important to develop the Spanish market, and I am sure every Spanish rider is very happy to have a second race at home. We have no doubt it will be a success."
Antonio Alia Portela, FIM/CMS Director: "Organising one MXGP event is crazy enough, and these people are going to organise two in Spain! They showed us this year in Almonte, in the middle of one of the most protected natural areas in Spain, that they are capable of something unexpected and very successful. Now they bring us to Mérida, which the Romans named Emerita Augusta and planned as one of the most important cities of the empire. It is another special place, close to the Portuguese border, and I know it is going to be really, really successful. For the community, there will not only be motocross but also a spectacular city to discover."
Juan Cabral, Strategics Director Seventy 6 Motion : " The arrival of MXGP in Mérida presents an extraordinary opportunity to showcase Mérida and Extremadura on the international stage, blending over 2,000 years of history with the excitement and spectacle of the world's best motocross.For Seventy6 Motion, this Grand Prix also marks a significant milestone in a project founded with the aim of creating and developing major motorsport events capable of generating a positive impact on the region—sporting, tourism-related, and economic alike. We want to build a Grand Prix in Mérida with a unique identity, one that grows and establishes itself firmly on the global calendar. We extend our special thanks to Infront Moto Racing for the trust they have placed in us, as well as to all the institutions and organizations making this project a reality.
On April 17 and 18, 2027, a new chapter begins for Mérida, for Extremadura, and for Seventy6 Motion. We want the world to discover that here, where history spans more than two millennia, we can also write the future of motocross."
*Head Photo: (From Left) Infront Moto Racing President & CEO David Luongo, Seventy 6 Motion CEO Juan Cabral, FIM/CMS Director Antonio Alia Portela
2027 MXGP Calendar Updated
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