© 2023, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc. From a press release issued By Dorna:
MotoGP™ audiences enjoy record surge in 2023
The world’s most exciting motorsport? Audiences agree as key markets show huge growth
Monday, 22 May 2023
On the heels of a record crowd that saw nearly 280,000 fans descend on the French Grand Prix last weekend, the broadcast audience figures are now in for the first quarter of the blockbuster 2023 MotoGP™ season – and they’re just as impressive. With notable growth across many of MotoGP™’s largest markets, the increase in weekend TV audiences is a sizeable 27%.
The Tissot Sprint has landed
The new sporting format is designed to create the best show possible, giving fans more MotoGP™ than ever and adding a new spectacle at every Grand Prix. The audience data so far confirms the success and popularity of the new-look weekend, with audiences increasing by an average of 51% on Saturdays as fans tune in to enjoy both the shootout for pole position and the Sprint.
What’s more, the overall increase in viewership is not solely attributed to the introduction of the Sprint on super Saturday. Viewing figures for the Grand Prix race on Sunday are up by nearly a fifth across key markets, showing the new format is not only garnering its own audience, but also driving interest and viewership for the sport overall.
The fans in the stands
The trend has also continued in the grandstands, with the first part of 2023 marking a notable surge in weekend attendance. On average across the first five races, the available data shows a 40% increase in fans coming to enjoy the world’s fastest motorcycle racing Championship at the track. Most notably, MotoGP™ also broke its all-time weekend attendance record at the Shark Grand Prix de France as well over a quarter of a million fans flocked through the gates at Le Mans – an achievement befitting the 1000th FIM Grand Prix.
Now the sport is ready to make more history across a tantalising triple-header, getting in gear with Mugello and the Gran Premio d’Italia Oakley from the 9th to the 11th of June. Then it’s the Liqui Moly Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland as the Sachsenring puts more history on the table, before the Motul TT Assen stages a third showdown in three weeks. Tune in for more as the 2023 season continues to break records – on track and off!
Dan Rossomondo, Chief Commercial Officer, Dorna Sports: “We are very excited to reveal these audience increases for the first part of the season. The new weekend format and the introduction of the Tissot Sprint were designed to create a better show across the board, and we are encouraged by the initial performance. These numbers are a fantastic foundation, and we intend to keep building on it.”