MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group
Commercial operator of MotoGP events
Last updated October 17, 2026
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Overview
MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group is the entity responsible for the commercial operations of the MotoGP World Championship, headquartered in Spain, managing broadcasting, sponsorship, and promotion.
History
MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group began in 1988 as Dorna promoción del deporte, a Spanish sports-management and marketing company established by Banco Banesto. Its early development focused on internationalizing the business and building expertise in the commercial operation of sporting properties. The company’s later importance came from its involvement in motorcycle Grand Prix racing, where it helped transform a fragmented racing property into a globally packaged sports-entertainment product. The commercial rights to Grand Prix motorcycle racing became available to Dorna during the early-1990s dispute between the FIM and IRTA. In 1992, Dorna participated in a rights-holding consortium with Bernie Ecclestone and IRTA. From 1993, it held the commercial rights on its own. This gave the company responsibility for selling broadcast rights, developing sponsorship, coordinating event promotion and managing the commercial presentation of the championship while the FIM retained its governing role. In 1998, Banco Banesto sold the expanding business to CVC Madrid. The company was renamed Dorna Sports. Under the new ownership, Dorna continued to professionalize the championship’s commercial structure and international reach. Its responsibilities included negotiating with broadcasters, promoting race events, expanding sponsorship inventory and creating a coherent global brand around the premier motorcycle-racing series. Madrid remained the corporate center, supported by offices and subsidiaries in Barcelona, Amsterdam, London and Rome. Dorna was closely involved in the move away from the traditional 500cc two-stroke premier class. Manufacturers and commercial stakeholders recognized that the high cost and limited road relevance of specialized two-stroke development created pressure for a new format. Dorna supported the transition to four-stroke MotoGP machinery, which began in 2002. The change gave manufacturers a more commercially useful platform and enabled the championship to present itself as a modern global sports property while retaining continuity with the earlier world championship. A competition-policy issue affected the company’s ownership in the middle of the 2000s. CVC’s acquisition of interests associated with Formula One raised concerns that one owner could control both Formula One and MotoGP, potentially increasing television-rights prices and reducing consumer choice. As a condition related to the Formula One transaction, CVC divested Dorna. Its final 71 percent stake was sold to Dorna Sports management in March 2006 for a reported £400 million. Bridgepoint subsequently became Dorna’s majority shareholder. Carmelo Ezpeleta remained the central executive figure in the company’s management. The Bridgepoint period included portfolio expansion. Dorna acquired or assumed responsibility for additional motorcycle-sport properties, including the commercial rights to the Superbike World Championship in 2013. The transfer followed Bridgepoint’s acquisition of Infront, which had previously acquired the championship’s promoter, FGSport. Dorna also managed or marketed other motorcycle competitions, including the FIM JuniorGP World Championship. It formerly promoted the British Superbike Championship, but MotorSport Vision acquired the BSB commercial rights in 2008. In October 2023, reports indicated that Dorna might be offered for sale at a valuation of approximately €2 billion, although the later transaction occurred at a substantially higher reported enterprise valuation. On 1 April 2024, Liberty Media announced an agreement to purchase a controlling interest in Dorna for approximately €4.2 billion. The proposed structure initially contemplated Liberty acquiring 86 percent and Dorna management retaining 14 percent. Regulatory scrutiny delayed completion, including a Phase II European Commission investigation. Approval was eventually granted and the transaction closed on 3 July 2025, with Liberty acquiring 84 percent and management retaining the remainder. Dorna became part of the Formula One Group. In February 2026, the company was renamed MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group. The new name places its best-known property at the center of the corporate identity, but the organization continues to operate as a broader motorcycle-sports rights and entertainment business. Its core activities remain championship promotion, media-rights sales, sponsorship, hospitality, digital content, licensing and the management of international race events.
- 2026
Dorna Sports becomes MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group
[1]The company adopts the MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group name in February 2026.
- 2025
Liberty Media completes Dorna acquisition
[1]The transaction closes on 3 July 2025 after regulatory approval, with Liberty Media acquiring 84 percent and Dorna management retaining the balance; Dorna becomes part of the Formula One Group.
- 2024
Liberty Media announces agreement to acquire Dorna
[1]Liberty Media announces a proposed acquisition of a controlling interest in Dorna at an indicated valuation of approximately €4.2 billion, initially contemplating 86 percent for Liberty and 14 percent retained by management.
- 2013
Dorna obtains Superbike World Championship commercial rights
[1]The Superbike World Championship is transferred from Infront Sports to Dorna after the property’s ownership and promoter relationships changed within the Bridgepoint portfolio.
- 2008
British Superbike commercial rights leave Dorna
[1]MotorSport Vision acquires the commercial rights to the British Superbike Championship, which Dorna had previously promoted.
- 2006
CVC divests Dorna
[1]CVC sells its final reported 71 percent interest in Dorna to Dorna Sports management for a reported £400 million after European competition concerns relating to CVC’s Formula One interests; Bridgepoint becomes majority shareholder.
- 2002
MotoGP four-stroke premier class begins
[1]The premier class transitions from 500cc two-stroke racing to MotoGP four-stroke racing, a change Dorna supported as part of the championship’s commercial and technical modernization.
- 1998
Sale to CVC Madrid and renaming as Dorna Sports
[1]Banco Banesto sells the internationally expanding operation to CVC Madrid, which changes its name to Dorna Sports.
- 1993
Dorna becomes sole commercial-rights holder for Grand Prix motorcycle racing
[1]The company assumes sole responsibility for the commercial rights associated with Grand Prix motorcycle racing.
- 1992
Dorna joins the Grand Prix commercial-rights consortium
[1]Dorna becomes part of a consortium with Bernie Ecclestone and IRTA during the FIM–IRTA dispute over motorcycle-racing governance and commercial rights.
Products and positioning
A global motorcycle-sports rights holder and promoter that turns championship racing into an integrated live-event, media, sponsorship, hospitality and digital-entertainment business.
Motorcycle racing championship and commercial rights property · 2002
MotoGP World Championship
The company’s flagship property is the premier global championship for circuit motorcycle racing. Its commercial role includes rights management, international event promotion, broadcast and digital distribution, sponsorship, hospitality, licensing and the development of the MotoGP brand. The modern four-stroke MotoGP premier class was introduced in 2002 after the 500cc era.
Production-based motorcycle racing championship
Superbike World Championship
The Superbike World Championship is a major international motorcycle-racing property centered on racing motorcycles derived from production models. Dorna became its commercial-rights holder in 2013 after the property was transferred from Infront Sports within the Bridgepoint-associated sports portfolio.
Motorcycle racing development championship
FIM JuniorGP World Championship
The FIM JuniorGP World Championship is part of the company’s broader motorcycle-sport portfolio. It provides an international development platform for emerging riders and supports the talent pathway into higher levels of Grand Prix motorcycle racing.
Sports media and content rights
MotoGP media and digital rights
Dorna’s commercial model includes the packaging and licensing of television, streaming, digital and related content rights. These rights enable broadcasters, platforms, sponsors and fans in multiple territories to access live races, associated programming and championship content.
Brand decisions
2025
Completion of Liberty Media acquisitionM&ABackground
The proposed acquisition required European Commission approval and was delayed by an extended regulatory investigation.
Action taken
Liberty Media completed the transaction on 3 July 2025, acquiring 84 percent of Dorna while management retained the remaining interest.
Aftermath
Dorna became part of the Formula One Group while continuing to operate the MotoGP and related motorcycle-sport properties.
2025
Separation of MotoGP Legends from the Hall of FameOtherBackground
The proposed structure distinguished the MotoGP Legends designation from a Hall of Fame restricted to premier-class MotoGP and 500cc riders.
Action taken
The organization announced a separate Hall of Fame framework that excluded riders whose principal achievements were in lower classes.
Aftermath
The decision drew criticism from sections of the MotoGP community, which argued that it erased or diminished the historical significance of lower-class championship achievements.
2024
Agreement to sell a controlling interest to Liberty MediaM&ABackground
Dorna’s owner agreed to a transaction that would place the MotoGP commercial-rights business under the same broader corporate group as Formula One, subject to regulatory approval.
Action taken
Liberty Media agreed to acquire an initially announced 86 percent interest, with Dorna management expected to retain 14 percent.
Aftermath
The transaction was delayed by regulatory review and ultimately closed in 2025 on revised ownership terms.
Indicative transaction valuation. €4.2 billion (Announcement on 1 April 2024)
2006
Dorna divestment following competition concernsStrategyBackground
CVC’s involvement in both Formula One and MotoGP-related commercial rights raised concerns that common ownership could affect television-rights pricing and consumer choice.
Action taken
CVC sold its final reported 71 percent stake in Dorna to Dorna Sports management as part of the commitments associated with its Formula One transaction.
Aftermath
Bridgepoint became the majority shareholder and Dorna continued operating as an independent motorcycle-sports commercial business.
Reported sale value. £400 million (28 March 2006)
2002
Transition from 500cc two-stroke racing to MotoGP four-stroke racingGeneration changeBackground
Manufacturers and commercial stakeholders considered the cost of developing specialized two-stroke engines and the limited commercial relevance of the resulting products unsustainable.
Action taken
Dorna supported the change in the premier class from 500cc two-stroke machinery to four-stroke MotoGP motorcycles, working within the championship’s governing and manufacturer relationships.
Aftermath
The change created the modern MotoGP premier class and gave manufacturers a more commercially relevant platform while preserving the championship’s position as the leading level of motorcycle road racing.
Recent events
Ziggo Sport acquires exclusive MotoGP broadcasting rights in the Netherlands[3]
Dorna Sports announced a new three-year contract with Ziggo Sport beginning in 2022, under which Ziggo Sport will exclusively broadcast MotoGP, Moto2, Moto3 and MotoE races and qualifying sessions, as well as practice sessions.
- Unconfirmed
DAZN acquires MotoGP broadcast rights in Italy[4]
DAZN acquired live and on-demand rights in Italy to MotoGP’s top three motorcycling series for the 2020 and 2021 seasons under a deal agreed with series owner Dorna.
Sources4 sources
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