The 2025 Portuguese MotoGP generated an estimated €102 million in gross value added for the Portuguese economy, including €56 million in the Algarve, according to a new study commissioned by the Algarve International Circuit (AIA).
The EY-Parthenon study found that the race, held at the Portimão circuit, attracted around 166,000 admissions and spectators from 70 countries, underlining the event’s growing international reach.
Foreign visitors accounted for 40% of the audience, with Portugal representing 60% of spectators, followed by France with 12% and Spain with 8%.
Among visitors from outside Europe, the largest contingents came from the United States (26%), Canada (21%) and Brazil (16%).
The study also highlights the race’s importance to tourism outside the Algarve’s peak summer season, with visitors staying several nights in the region and spending heavily on accommodation, restaurants and other services.
Fans from northern Europe recorded some of the longest average stays. Finnish visitors remained for an average of 7.4 nights, followed by Denmark at seven nights, Luxembourg at 6.7 and Germany at six.
The highest average spending per visitor in Portugal was recorded among fans from Denmark, at €3,732, followed by Sweden (€2,636) and Colombia (€2,583).
Accommodation and eating outside the circuit were the two largest areas of spending overall, averaging €438 and €326 per visitor, respectively.
According to the study, the most common profile among Portuguese spectators was a 46- to 55-year-old man from the Lisbon region, attending the event for the first time and showing a strong intention to return. Among international visitors, the typical profile was a French man aged 56 to 65, travelling specifically to the Algarve for MotoGP, accompanied and holding a three-day ticket.
Over 2,000 jobs supported
Spending by spectators alone generated an estimated €94 million in gross value added, supported the equivalent of 1,879 full-time jobs and produced more than €32 million in tax revenue, according to the study.
When the wider impact of the event is included, the total rises to €102 million in gross value added, 2,024 full-time equivalent jobs, €43 million in wages and €35 million in tax revenue.
The research also found a noticeable increase in tourism activity around the circuit during the month of the race.
Growth in overnight stays and guest numbers in nearby municipalities was significantly higher than during the remainder of the year, particularly in Portimão and Lagoa.
Jaime Costa, the racetrack’s CEO, said the findings reinforced the circuit’s wider importance to the region.
“The results of this study confirm what we have been observing over recent years: the Algarve circuit and MotoGP are strategic assets for the Algarve and Portugal,” he said.
“Holding the race during the low season generates tourism demand at a time when it is particularly important for the region, while also strengthening the destination’s international profile.”
He added that the event attracts visitors from dozens of countries, encourages longer stays and spreads economic benefits across tourism and service businesses.
The study also found strong intentions among spectators to return, while many international visitors travelled to the Algarve specifically to attend the race.