The Portuguese MotoGP Grand Prix is bringing much more to the Algarve than motorsport fans, with a new study showing that last year's event contributed €56 million to the regional economy.
The 2025 race, held at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão, contributed €102 million to Portugal's GDP, including €56 million to the Algarve economy.
The figures come from a study carried out by EY-Parthenon for Parkalgar, the company responsible for managing the circuit, and were reported by ECO on 12 October.
The study looked at the economic and tourism impact of the event, including employment, visitor spending, accommodation and the benefits for businesses in the region.
In total, the 2025 MotoGP supported the equivalent of 2,024 full-time jobs, with an estimated €43 million in remuneration and €35 million in tax revenue.
Spectator entries
The race recorded around 166,000 spectator entries, with fans travelling from different parts of Portugal and abroad to attend the event.
Portuguese spectators accounted for approximately 60% of the audience, while international visitors represented around 40%. France and Spain were among the international markets represented, alongside visitors from countries such as the United States, Canada and Brazil.
For the Algarve, one of the biggest benefits of hosting the race is that visitors do not necessarily come just for the weekend. Many choose to stay longer, spending money in local hotels, restaurants and other businesses.
Fans travelling from Finland stayed an average of 7.4 nights, while visitors from Denmark spent around seven nights in Portugal. Those arriving from Luxembourg stayed an average of 6.7 nights.
These longer stays are particularly important for the region because the MotoGP takes place outside the busiest summer tourism months, when hotels and restaurants generally have more availability.
Average spenditure
The study also looked at how much international spectators spent during their visits.
Visitors from Denmark recorded the highest average expenditure, at €3,732 per person, followed by Sweden at €2,636 and Colombia at €2,583.
Accommodation and eating out were two of the main areas of spending, with average expenditure of €438 on accommodation and €326 on food outside the circuit per visitor.
This means that the event benefits not only the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve but also businesses across the region, particularly those involved in tourism and hospitality.
Quieter periods
Jaime Costa, CEO of the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, highlighted the importance of hosting international events during quieter periods of the year.
In a statement reported by ECO, he explained that the study confirmed the importance of the circuit and MotoGP for both the Algarve and Portugal.
He also pointed out that events of this scale help attract visitors outside the main tourist season, while bringing international attention to the region.
And the benefits are not limited to what visitors spend during the race weekend. The Algarve also receives international exposure through television broadcasts and media coverage, introducing the region to audiences who may never have visited before.
Some spectators may also decide to return for a holiday, particularly those who have travelled to Portugal for the first time to attend the race.
Local contribution
The MotoGP will return to Portimão from 20 to 22 November 2026, once again bringing international riders, teams and spectators to the Algarve.
With the next edition approaching, the latest figures show just how much an event like MotoGP can contribute to the local economy, especially at a time of year when the region is usually quieter than during the summer months.