TT Circuit Assen
TT Circuit Assen at a glance
- Location
- Assen, Drenthe
- Type
- road course
- Length
- 4.555 km (2.83 mi)
- Turns
- 18
- Direction
- clockwise
- Surface
- asphalt
- Opened
- 1955
- Owner
- Stichting Circuit van Drenthe
- Capacity
- 110,000
- Address
- Vosbergerweg 2
- Phone
- +31 592 356 666
- Website
- ttcircuit.com/en
Track map and layout
Known to fans as the 'Cathedral of Speed,' TT Circuit Assen is a flowing, high-speed motorcycle-first circuit set in flat Drenthe countryside, combining fast, sweeping corners with a couple of tighter technical sections that reward smooth, precise riding over outright braking power. The current 4.555 km, 18-turn layout dates from a series of reconfigurations in 2002, 2005 and 2006 that shortened and modernised the circuit from its earlier, longer forms while retaining its reputation as one of the most respected tracks on the MotoGP calendar among riders.
Named corners and sections
- Haarbocht. A fast, sweeping right-hander early in the lap that carries big corner speed and sets up the following section.
- Ruskenhoek. A long, demanding corner in the middle of the lap that tests rider stamina and consistency on a full-length lap.
- Meeuwenmeer. A tight, technical section that slows the pace after the circuit's faster sweeping corners.
- GT-chicane. A chicane near the end of the lap that sets up the run to the start/finish straight.
Configurations
| Layout | Length | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix circuit (current) | 4.55 km | 4.555 km, 18-turn configuration in use since the mid-2000s reconfigurations |
Events and race weekends
The Dutch TT is the only race to have featured on every world championship motorcycle Grand Prix calendar since it began in 1949, giving Assen an unmatched claim to motorcycling heritage; it moved from its traditional Saturday date to a Sunday race day in 2016. The circuit has hosted the Superbike World Championship since 1992 and stages a busy calendar of national car and bike racing, historic events and public track days throughout the year.
| Event | Series | When | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| MotoGP Dutch TT (Motul TT Assen) | MotoGP | June | the only race run at every MotoGP season since 1949 |
| Superbike World Championship Dutch round | WorldSBK | varies, typically spring | Assen has hosted WorldSBK since 1992 |
| National and club car/bike racing | Various Dutch national championships | throughout the season | circuit hosts frequent national-level race meetings |
Getting there and parking
TT Circuit Assen sits just south of the town of Assen in the northern Netherlands. Regular direct trains run from Amsterdam Centraal to Assen station in around two hours, with a local city bus (line 1) continuing to the circuit's northern gate; Groningen Airport Eelde is the closest airport but has limited international connections, so many overseas visitors fly into Amsterdam Schiphol and take the train north.
- Groningen Airport Eelde (GRQ) · about 25 min drive
- Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) · about 150 min drive
Parking
General car parking is available around the circuit for most events, free for smaller meetings and ticketed for the Dutch TT; race-weekend traffic around Assen town can be heavy.
For the Dutch TT, book accommodation or a campsite well in advance and consider the train-plus-bus route from Amsterdam if flying internationally, since Groningen's own airport has few direct international routes.
Hotels and camping near TT Circuit Assen
Camping is a central part of the Dutch TT tradition, with numerous campsites within a short walk of the circuit that have hosted generations of fans for race week. Assen town itself has a good supply of hotels, and Groningen, about 30 minutes north, offers a larger city with more accommodation for those who prefer to stay off-site.
Where to look
Assen town (closest, wide range of hotels) and Groningen (about 30 minutes north, larger city with more hotel capacity) are the main bases for visitors.
Camping
A long-standing camping culture surrounds the Dutch TT, with official and independent campsites such as Vakantiepark Witterzomer located within a couple of kilometres of the circuit and many pitches within a 10-20 minute walk of the grandstands.
RV
Dedicated caravan and motorhome pitches are available at several campsites around the circuit for TT week; early booking is recommended as sites fill up well ahead of the June race.
Track days, driving experiences and lap records
TT Circuit Assen runs a full calendar of public track days for both motorcycles and cars, including dedicated beginner-friendly sessions, alongside its championship racing programme. Third-party organisers such as Trackdays4all run regular open-pitlane and structured sessions through the season.
Who runs days here
Typical cost: Motorcycle track time from around €48 per session; full trackday packages (multiple sessions with timekeeping) from roughly €255-€289
Lap records
| Category | Time | Driver | Car | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MotoGP | 1:31.866 | Francesco Bagnaia | Ducati Desmosedici GP24 | 2024 |
Spectator guide
Assen's flat, wide-open layout gives spectators long, clear sightlines across much of the circuit from grassy banking and grandstands, and the Dutch TT draws some of the largest and most enthusiastic motorcycle-racing crowds in the world, with a strong fan-village and camping atmosphere around the circuit.
Seating
Major grandstands line the start/finish straight and the final chicane; grass banking around much of the rest of the lap offers general-admission viewing with wide sightlines typical of a flat, open circuit.
Best places to watch
The grass banks around Ruskenhoek and Meeuwenmeer give good views of racing lines through the circuit's more technical sections; the start/finish grandstands suit those wanting a single fixed seat with race-start views.
Weather
- June (Dutch TT): typical northern Dutch early summer, highs around 18-21°C with a reasonable chance of rain
History of TT Circuit Assen
From country roads to the 'Cathedral of Speed'
The Dutch TT began in 1925 on public roads through villages south of Assen, part of the wave of early European motorcycle road racing. Growing crowds and safety concerns eventually pushed the event toward a dedicated, purpose-built facility, and a permanent circuit opened in 1955, moving racing off the public roads and onto a track designed specifically for competition while keeping the Dutch TT's name and following.
An unbroken record
When the world motorcycle Grand Prix championship began in 1949, Assen was on the calendar, and it has remained there in every season since — a unique distinction shared by no other circuit in motorcycle racing. That unbroken history, combined with huge, passionate home crowds, has given Assen a mystique among riders and fans that earned it the nickname 'the Cathedral of Speed.' The Superbike World Championship added Assen to its calendar in 1992, reinforcing the circuit's status as one of the sport's most important venues.
Modern reconfiguration
Safety and commercial pressures led to a series of layout changes in the early 2000s, with reconfigurations in 2002, 2005 and 2006 shortening the circuit to its current 4.555 km form and updating run-off and infrastructure to modern standards, while retaining the flowing character that riders have long praised. The Dutch TT shifted from its traditional Saturday race day to Sunday in 2016 to align with the rest of the MotoGP calendar. Today Assen remains a MotoGP and WorldSBK fixture, backed by one of the sport's most committed fan bases and a camping culture around the circuit that is central to the race-week experience.
Frequently asked questions
How long is TT Circuit Assen?+
The current Grand Prix layout is 4.555 km (2.83 miles) long with 18 corners.
Why is Assen called the only race on every MotoGP calendar?+
The Dutch TT at Assen has appeared on the motorcycle Grand Prix world championship calendar in every season since it began in 1949, a run no other circuit can match.
When is the Dutch TT held?+
The MotoGP Dutch TT is held each June; the race moved from its traditional Saturday date to Sunday in 2016.
Where do fans camp for the Dutch TT?+
Numerous campsites, including long-established sites like Vakantiepark Witterzomer, sit within a short walk or drive of the circuit and form a major part of the race-week tradition; booking ahead is essential.
How do you get to TT Circuit Assen without a car?+
Regular trains run from Amsterdam Centraal to Assen station in about two hours, connecting to the circuit by local city bus; Groningen Airport Eelde is the nearest airport but has limited international flights, so many visitors fly into Amsterdam Schiphol.
Can the public ride or drive TT Circuit Assen?+
Yes. The circuit runs a regular calendar of public track days for cars and motorcycles, including beginner-friendly sessions, alongside third-party organisers such as Trackdays4all.
Other tracks nearby
- Motorcross Markelo (Herikerberg Circuit) · 81 km · motocross
- CM.com Circuit Zandvoort · 148 km · road course
- Motorclub Oss · 149 km · club
- De Witte Ruijsheuvel (Oss Motocross Circuit) · 149 km · motocross
- Grenzlandring · 203 km · historic circuit (defunct)
- Stedelijk Motorcrosscentrum Lommel · 211 km · motocross
Facts checked against 3 sources including the official circuit website. Last reviewed 2026-09-10.