\n\tSeveral more questions about the grid for the 2026 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship have been answered. The grid is slowly coming together piece by piece, however a handful of high-profile rider\u2019s futures are still up in the air. The announcements keep rolling in as the months progress with factory seats and Independent rides alike starting to be secured, but who\u2019s going where for 2026?<\/p>\n
\n\tCONFIRMED FOR 2026: the grid starts to take shape<\/p>\n
\n\tThe first riders to be announced for 2026 were the bimota by Kawasaki Racing Duo of Alex Lowes and Axel Bassani, who had their futures announced heading into the Czech Round in mid-May<\/a>, with the pair being secured for next season. Beyond that, the make-up of the grid is unknown with the majority of the grid out of contract. Between Most and Misano, it was confirmed that Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) would stay with Yamaha for 2026 and 2027.<\/a> Ahead of his home round, Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) was announced as having signed a one-year contract with the Aruba.it Racing \u2013 Ducati<\/a> squad to take him through to the end of the 2026 campaign. Elsewhere, on the same day as Bulega\u2019s renewal, it was announced that \u2018El Turco\u2019 would join Pramac Racing for 2026. American rider Garrett Gerloff will be staying in green<\/a>, the Texan putting pen to paper on a one-year deal that will see him remain in green through 2026.<\/p>\n
\n\tSam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) will remain in place for 2026 and 2027<\/a>, having signed a new two-year deal with his Marc VDS Ducati squad. In the build-up to Donington, it was confirmed that Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) would stay with Barni Ducati for a second season in 2026<\/a>. Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) was the next domino to fall when he renewed his two-year deal<\/a> with his Yamaha team, securing his future through 2027. Shortly after, Gardner\u2019s teammate was confirmed with Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) making the move to WorldSBK for two seasons.<\/a> A key seat was announced in the August break with reigning Independent Riders\u2019 title winner Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) moving to the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team in place of MotoGP-bound Razgatlioglu.<\/a> During the Aragon Round, Xavi Vierge’s future was confirmed with the Spaniard moving to Pata Maxus Yamaha for 2026<\/a>. The Tuesday after Aragon was a big day as the 2026 factory seats were completed: Miguel Oliveira will join BMW for 2026<\/a>, while Honda HRC\u2019s line-up will be Somkiat Chantra and Jake Dixon<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\n\tA BIG MONDAY IN AUGUST: Rea announces retirement as Lecuona moves to Ducati<\/p>\n
\n\tThe 25th August, 2025 was a busy day in terms of silly season \u2013 and one that will live long in the memories of WorldSBK fans everywhere. First, Iker Lecuona was announced as leaving Honda HRC and joining Aruba.it Racing \u2013 Ducati for 2026<\/a>; confirming that Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) would leave the team despite messages saying the door wasn\u2019t closed. Then, just 90 minutes later, Jonathan Rea (Pata Maxus Yamaha) announced his retirement from full-time racing<\/a> at the end of 2025, bringing an end to an illustrious and record-breaking career. However, a day later, Bautista had his future announced: he would join the Barni Spark Racing Team for 2026<\/a>, keeping him on the Panigale V4R but with an Independent outfit.<\/p>\n
\n\tTHE REMAINING SEATS: GoEleven Ducati a high profile vacancy\u2026<\/p>\n
\n\tIt means 16 riders have now been confirmed for the 2026 WorldSBK campaign, including all the factory seats at Bimota, BMW, Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki and Yamaha. Attention now turns to the Independent outfits who are yet to announce. One of the more high-profile seats currently vacant is at Team Pata GoEleven, with Andrea Iannone yet to have his plans confirmed; he stated on Sunday at Aragon that he felt he had a \u2018good chance\u2019 to be on the grid next season \u2013 however, at Estoril, \u2018The Maniac\u2019 confirmed he wouldn\u2019t stay with Pata Team GoEleven<\/a>, while Ryan Vickers said his future with Motocorsa Racing was \u201cup in the air\u201d.<\/a> On Friday in Portugal, Team Manager Lorenzo Mauri confirmed he was looking at Moto2 riders to replace Vickers for 2026<\/a>. The Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team, MGM BONOVO Racing and the PETRONAS MIE Honda Racing Team are yet to announce plans for next season.<\/p>\n
\n\tConfirmed 2026 grid so far (TBA = to be announced)<\/p>\n
\n\tBimota by Kawasaki Racing Team \u2013 Alex Lowes and Axel Bassani<\/p>\n
\n\tPata Maxus Yamaha \u2013 Andrea Locatelli and Xavi Vierge<\/p>\n
\n\tAruba.it Racing \u2013 Ducati \u2013 Nicolo Bulega and Iker Lecuona<\/p>\n
\n\tKawasaki Racing Team \u2013 Garrett Gerloff<\/p>\n
\n\tELF Marc VDS Racing Team \u2013 Sam Lowes<\/p>\n
\n\tBarni Spark Racing Team \u2013 Yari Montella and Alvaro Bautista<\/p>\n
\n\tGYTR GRT Yamaha Racing Team \u2013 Remy Gardner and Stefano Manzi<\/p>\n
\n\tROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team \u2013 Danilo Petrucci and Miguel Oliveira<\/p>\n
\n\tHonda HRC \u2013 Somkiat Chanta and Jake Dixon<\/p>\n