Thailand MotoGP 2027 Grandstand Sells Out in Minutes as Buriram Prepares to Open 850cc Era

Buriram secures the first race of a new MotoGP era

Grandstand tickets for the 2027 Grand Prix of Thailand sold out in three minutes and 37 seconds after worldwide sales opened at 2pm on November 9, 2026. The race weekend at Chang International Circuit in Buriram, scheduled for March 5 to 7, will open the MotoGP season for the third consecutive year and introduce the championship's new 850cc racing motorcycles to competition.

The 5,000 baht Grandstand ticket is part of a package covering three days of racing, admission to the Buriram Test on February 6 and 7, and a motorsport festival featuring concerts, Muay Thai and a motorcycle expo. Other main stand categories were launched at prices ranging from 2,000 to 3,000 baht, with separate paddock and hospitality options.

MotoGP confirmed the opening round in its July 31 announcement, naming Thailand as the starting point for the championship's 79th season and its technical regulations cycle covering 2027 to 2031. The event also begins a new Thai hosting agreement running through 2031.

Buriram therefore has two roles in the coming season: a place where teams prepare their new motorcycles in February, and the circuit where those machines first compete for championship results in March. Fans buying the main race package can watch both stages, although the visits take place on separate weekends almost a month apart.

What changes on the motorcycles?

MotoGP will move from engines of 1,000cc to 850cc in 2027. The figure measures engine displacement, the combined volume swept by the pistons inside the engine. The reduction is 150cc, or 15% of the previous capacity.

The technical changes also include fuel specified as 100% sustainable, reduced aerodynamics and the removal of ride height devices. Aerodynamic parts guide air around the motorcycle and help control how it behaves at speed. Ride height devices alter the motorcycle's height during riding to help manage acceleration and handling.

Teams will have to adjust motorcycle design, settings and riding approaches together. Testing gives them time to learn how those changes work before the opening race turns development work into direct competition.

Carmelo Ezpeleta, chief executive of MotoGP Group, said Buriram's record as a host made it a fitting venue for the change:

Buriram has consistently delivered one of the best events on our calendar, making it the perfect venue to launch MotoGP's new technical era.

MotoGP said the 2026 Thai opener drew a record crowd of 228,228, with Marco Bezzecchi winning for Aprilia. That gives the organisers a substantial recent attendance benchmark as they prepare for the first weekend under the new rules.

The dates between testing and the opening race

The preparations extend beyond Thailand. Teams are scheduled to test in Spain and Malaysia before travelling to Buriram, followed by a public season launch in Brazil before racing begins.

• November 9, 2026: Thai Grand Prix ticket sales opened worldwide, following the launch event at the Sports Authority of Thailand in Bangkok.
• November 15, 2026: The advertised Early Bird discount period ends.
• December 1, 2026: Valencia Test in Spain.
• January 29 and 30, 2027: Sepang Shakedown Test in Malaysia for factory test riders and newcomers.
• January 31 and February 1: Sepang Test for the full MotoGP rider field.
• February 6 and 7: Buriram Test at Chang International Circuit.
• February 21: Season launch at Botafogo Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
• March 5 to 7: Grand Prix of Thailand at Chang International Circuit.

Moto2 and Moto3, the other championship classes on the Grand Prix programme, have their own preparations at Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto in Spain. Moto2 private testing is scheduled for February 16 and 17, Moto3 official testing for February 18 and 19, and Moto2 official testing for February 20 and 21.

Which race ticket offers which view?

The four main admission categories cover the full three days of the March meeting and include both days of the February test and access to the festival. Their differences concern viewing locations, supporter sections and souvenirs.

• Grandstand, 5,000 baht: The main stand, promoted for its broad circuit views. This category sold out shortly after sales opened.
• Rider Stand, 3,000 baht: A choice of Marquez, Quartararo or Martin stands, with officially licensed souvenirs.
• Brand Stand, 2,000 baht: Honda or Yamaha supporter sections, with souvenirs from sponsors.
• Side Stand, 2,000 baht: Access to zones A, B, C and D, with spectators able to change zones on different days.

Side Stand buyers can therefore watch from different positions over the weekend. Rider Stand and Brand Stand buyers instead choose areas built around a particular rider or manufacturer, with merchandise included in the advertised package.

Tickets are sold through Counter Service All Ticket at 7-Eleven stores across Thailand and through allticketthailand.com. The circuit directs enquiries to its Chang Circuit Buriram Facebook page and LINE account, @changcircuit.

Testing alone, paddock access or a VIP lounge

Fans interested mainly in the new motorcycles can buy admission just for the Buriram Test. Grandstand entry costs 500 baht for one day or 900 baht for both February 6 and 7. The two day option saves 100 baht compared with buying two individual day tickets.

VIP admission for testing costs 5,000 baht per day. The test offers a different experience from the race weekend: teams use track time to evaluate their motorcycles and prepare for competition, while spectators can follow the new machines before the season begins.

A Paddock Pass for the Grand Prix is priced at 15,000 baht and gives access to the working area used by teams and riders. The paddock is where much of the preparation around the racing takes place.

The VIP Lounge option costs 20,000 baht and includes an air conditioned lounge, premium food, unlimited drinks, Wi-Fi and television coverage of the racing. Its emphasis is hospitality and comfort, while the paddock option centres on access to the teams' working environment.

How the discounts and instalments work

The Early Bird promotion cuts Side Stand and Brand Stand prices by 30% between November 9 and 15, 2026. For either category's regular price of 2,000 baht, that means a saving of 600 baht and a discounted price of 1,400 baht.

A separate sponsor promotion offers 20% off online purchases using discount codes, with a limited allocation. ThaiGP is also introducing interest free instalments for the first time, allowing repayment over as many as 10 months.

The choices come with restrictions. Early Bird tickets cannot be combined with the instalment promotion, and instalments cannot be combined with other discounts. The repayment period depends on the purchase amount and the conditions of participating banks.

Buyers therefore face a practical choice between paying a lower discounted price and spreading an eligible purchase across monthly payments. The advertised maximum of 10 months depends on the bank and transaction conditions.

Bangkok activities lead into a Buriram festival

Victor Segui, director of fan engagement at MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group, formerly Dorna Sports, said activities would begin in Bangkok before spectators travelled to Buriram. The plan connects the capital with the race venue through sport, entertainment and Thai culture.

At Chang International Circuit, the three day festival will take place in the Commercial Area in front of the venue. Concerts and Muay Thai will accompany a motorcycle expo featuring government and private sector pavilions, major brands and smaller retailers.

Food and specialities from Buriram and other parts of Thailand will be part of the expo. That gives local sellers a place within the event itself, alongside the larger commercial displays and entertainment programme.

The Bangkok programme and festival extend the event beyond time spent watching the track. Detailed dates for the Bangkok activities, performer schedules, updated ticket stock and AIS viewing package prices were not specified in the announcements described here.

Thailand wants visitors to travel and spend more widely

Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said the government wanted race visitors to explore other destinations and spread spending across accommodation, restaurants, transport and community businesses.

Surasak described the tourism policy behind the event:

The ministry will use this opportunity to develop sports tourism under a 'Value over Volume' approach.

In practical terms, the minister's priority is the value of each visit and where spending goes, rather than simply attracting the largest possible number of arrivals. He described motorsport supporters as visitors with strong spending power and said Thai culture should be promoted throughout the year.

Organisers project international broadcast exposure across about 200 countries and a potential audience exceeding 800 million people. Estimates accompanying the event promotion put the economic value generated by MotoGP in Buriram over the preceding six to seven years at more than 25 billion baht.

Buriram Governor Ekkawit Meepian said provincial authorities were working with businesses and communities to welcome visitors, distribute income locally and strengthen the province's position as a sports destination. The festival's regional food stalls and small retailers give that ambition a direct connection to the race weekend.

The circuit prepares for another large gathering

Chotchanok Chidchob, director of international events at Chang International Circuit, said preparations included track inspections and maintenance, improvements to facilities and working areas, additional personnel and safety systems.

The operation must serve riders, team staff, officials, spectators and media. The February test and March race meeting bring two distinct periods of activity to the same venue, while concerts, retail stalls and other entertainment add visitor needs outside the racing areas.

Proadprans Samarnmit, governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand, said spectator information, travel to the circuit, admission and entertainment around the venue were priorities. Those services matter to the experience of a large crowd as much as the choice of stand or hospitality package.

The November 9 launch at the authority's headquarters in Hua Mak, Bangkok, drew more than 400 participants. Government bodies, the circuit and private supporters including Chang drinking water, Thai Honda and Thai Yamaha Motor took part. Motorsport influencer Benz Racing, also known as Ariyathat Worrojcharoendet, was among those attending.

AIS PLAY becomes the Thai television destination

Fans watching from home in Thailand will have a new broadcast arrangement beginning with the 2027 season. AIS has secured exclusive Thai rights to MotoGP and the FIM Superbike World Championship, known as WorldSBK, for the five seasons from 2027 through 2031.

The announced AIS PLAY package covers MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 across 22 circuits, alongside WorldSBK. Planned coverage includes Full HD broadcasts, Thai commentary, highlights and full replays.

Carlos Ezpeleta, deputy chief executive of MotoGP Group, welcomed the agreement and identified Buriram as its starting point:

We are delighted to welcome AIS as the exclusive home of MotoGP and WorldSBK in Thailand from 2027 through to 2031.

AIS chief executive Pratthana Leelapanang said the rights would strengthen AIS PLAY's sports content. The broadcast agreement, the Thai hosting contract and MotoGP's new technical cycle all cover 2027 to 2031, giving the coming Buriram opener a role in several changes at once: new machinery, a renewed hosting commitment and a different domestic viewing platform.

Key Points

• Chang International Circuit will open the 2027 MotoGP season on March 5 to 7, Thailand's third consecutive season opener.
• The race introduces 850cc motorcycles and the technical regulations cycle covering 2027 to 2031.
• Grandstand tickets priced at 5,000 baht sold out in three minutes and 37 seconds after sales opened on November 9, 2026.
• Main race tickets include the Buriram Test on February 6 and 7 and the three day motorsport festival.
• Side Stand and Brand Stand tickets fall from 2,000 to 1,400 baht during the November 9 to 15 Early Bird promotion.
• Interest free instalments of up to 10 months are subject to bank conditions and cannot be combined with discounts.
• AIS PLAY holds exclusive Thai broadcast rights for MotoGP and WorldSBK from 2027 through 2031.