MotoGP Spectators: Germany top, Italy drop, 2.4 million total
Official MotoGP figures credit a total of 2,427,928 trackside fans over 19 of the 20 rounds (COTA did not provide attendance figures), with a peak of 232,002 for the German Grand Prix at Sachsenring and a low of 17,972 fans in Qatar.
The weekend figures are calculated by adding the Friday, Saturday and Sunday attendance, meaning spectators present for more than one day are counted twice or three times.
Race day attendance avoids that issue, topped by Le Mans (110,103) and Assen (104,244), but the biggest races might have been even higher without hitting their ‘sold out’ cap.
While the behind-closed-door races and low spectator limits of 2020 and some 2021 events were removed, some of the grands prix that traditionally attract international fans remained disadvantaged by visa restrictions and high flight prices in 2022.
The first season since Valentino Rossi's retirement also saw eight-time world champion Marc Marquez miss seven events due to injuries.
On the other hand, some circuits allowed fans to redeem tickets purchased (but unused) for the previous two seasons.
| 2022 MotoGP spectator attendance | ||||
| Event | Fri | Sat | Sun | Total |
| Losail, Qatar | 5,627 | 5,690 | 6,655 | 17,972 |
| Mandalika, Indonesia | 9,857 | 30,021 | 62,923 | 102,801 |
| Termas, Argentina | 56,008 | 63,659 | 67,092 | 186,759 |
| COTA, USA | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Portimao, Portugal | 14,797 | 17,453 | 43,650 | 75,900 |
| Jerez, Spain | 19,972 | 44,997 | 58,132 | 123,101 |
| Le Mans, France | 49,992 | 65,005 | 110,003 | 225,000 |
| Mugello, Italy | 10,815 | 19,602 | 43,661 | 74,078 |
| Catalunya, Spain | 16,132 | 38,374 | 60,068 | 114,574 |
| Sachsenring, Germany | 50,786 | 86,202 | 95,214 | 232,202 |
| Assen, Netherlands | 23,574 | 30,480 | 104,244 | 158,298 |
| Silverstone, Great Britain | 26,501 | 32,897 | 41,002 | 100,400 |
| Red Bull Ring, Austria | 30,262 | 45,553 | 92,035 | 167,850 |
| Misano, Italy | 18,859 | 25,300 | 56,981 | 101,140 |
| Aragon, Spain | 19,322 | 29,635 | 37,846 | 86,803 |
| Motegi, Japan | 8,648 | 16,682 | 32,152 | 57,482 |
| Buriram, Thailand | 55,798 | 45,809 | 76,856 | 178,463 |
| Phillip Island, Australia | 20,150 | 30,811 | 40,197 | 91,158 |
| Sepang, Malaysia | 21,015 | 53,937 | 88,615 | 163,567 |
| Valencia, Spain | 16,374 | 61,840 | 92,166 | 170,380 |
2022 vs 2019
Of the 17 circuits present during both the pre-Covid 2019 season and 2022, 13 experienced a drop in spectator numbers this season, with Mugello plummeting by 65,251 weekend fans and the other Italian event at Misano by a similar 57,160.
Meanwhile, the four circuits that boosted attendance relative to 2019 were headed by Sachsenring (+31,040), followed by Le Mans, Phillip Island and Termas de Rio Hondo.
| MotoGP Spectator comparison 2019 vs 2022 | |||
| 2019 | 2022 | Diff. | |
| Losail, Qatar | 32,252 | 17,972 | -14,280 |
| Mandalika, Indonesia | N/A | 102,801 | N/A |
| Termas, Argentina | 179,551 | 186,759 | +7,208 |
| COTA, USA | 120,545 | N/A | N/A |
| Portimao, Portugal | N/A | 75,900 | N/A |
| Jerez, Spain | 151,513 | 123,101 | -28,412 |
| Le Mans, France | 206,323 | 225,000 | +18,677 |
| Mugello, Italy | 139,329 | 74,078 | -65,251 |
| Catalunya, Spain | 157,827 | 114,574 | -43,253 |
| Sachsenring, Germany | 201,162 | 232,202 | +31,040 |
| Assen, Netherlands | 167,500 | 158,298 | -9,202 |
| Silverstone, Great Britain | 114,607 | 100,400 | -14,207 |
| Red Bull Ring, Austria | 197,315 | 167,850 | -29,465 |
| Misano, Italy | 158,300 | 101,140 | -57,160 |
| Aragon, Spain | 104,390 | 86,803 | -17,587 |
| Motegi, Japan | 88,597 | 57,482 | -31,115 |
| Buriram, Thailand | 226,655 | 178,463 | -48,192 |
| Phillip Island, Australia | 82,850 | 91,158 | +8,308 |
| Sepang, Malaysia | 170,778 | 163,567 | -7,211 |
| Valencia, Spain | 176,826 | 170,380 | -6,446 |
How does 2022 compare to previous MotoGP seasons?
This year’s figure of 2,427,928 (without COTA) puts total MotoGP attendance at a similar level to the 2013 and 2014 seasons, having peaked at 2,884,242 in 2018.
Averaging the season attendance by the number of events, gives MotoGP 2022 a figure of 127.786 per round (19, minus COTA), equating to 2006-2007 levels. The highest attendance average since 2006, when attendance data was published, is 150,962 during the 2015 season.
2023 will see the biggest-ever MotoGP calendar of 21-rounds plus the introduction of Sprint races, aimed at boosting the Saturday trackside attendance.
| MotoGP Spectator attendance by Year (2006-2022) | |||
| Year | Races | Season Total | Average per event |
| 2006 | 17 | 2,139,413 | 125,848 |
| 2007 | 18 | 2,322,914 | 129,051 |
| 2008 | 18 | 2,416,210 | 134,234 |
| 2009 | 17 | 2,282,984 | 134,293 |
| 2010 | 18 | 2,342,830 | 130,157 |
| 2011 | 18 | 2,369,949 | 131,664 |
| 2012 | 18 | 2,217,555 | 123,198 |
| 2013 | 18 | 2,433,763 | 135,209 |
| 2014 | 18 | 2,473,624 | 137,424 |
| 2015 | 18 | 2,717,314 | 150,962 |
| 2016 | 18 | 2,676,632 | 148,702 |
| 2017 | 18 | 2,665,806 | 148,100 |
| 2018 | 19 | 2,884,242 | 151,802 |
| 2019 | 18 | 2,686,287 | 149,238 |
| 2020 | 14* | Covid | - |
| 2021 | 18 | 746,401** | - |
| 2022 | 20 | 2,427,928 | 127,786*** |
* 15 for Moto2/Moto3, which raced in Qatar.
** COTA not available. Six events were held without any spectators and others took place with minimal attendance allowed due to Covid restrictions.
*** Average calculated over 19 rounds due to lack of data for COTA.
Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.
