Autódromo Internacional Ayrton Senna (Goiânia)

Autódromo Internacional Ayrton Senna (Goiânia) at a glance

Location

Goiânia, Goiás

Type

road course

Length

3.835 km (2.383 mi)

Turns

13

Direction

clockwise

Surface

asphalt

Opened

1974

Owner

State of Goiás (Governo de Goiás)

Capacity

40,000

Address

Região sudeste de Goiânia (Parque Autódromo)

Website

autodromodegoiania.go.gov.br

Track map and layout

Officially the Autódromo Internacional Ayrton Senna, this state-owned circuit in southeastern Goiânia is commonly known outside Brazil simply as the Goiânia circuit. It runs 3.835 km (2.383 miles) clockwise over 13 corners and underwent a major R$250 million renovation in 2025-2026 that upgraded run-off areas, pit facilities and safety infrastructure ahead of MotoGP's return to Brazil in March 2026. The circuit is a mid-length, technical road course used mainly by Brazilian national series rather than a marquee international venue, though its history and recent modernisation have raised its profile considerably.

Events and race weekends

The circuit hosted the Brazilian motorcycle Grand Prix in the 500cc class from 1987 to 1989, and was renamed in November 1989 in honour of Ayrton Senna. After decades away from top-level international racing, MotoGP returned to Brazil here in March 2026 following the venue's modernisation, drawing a reported crowd of around 148,000 over the weekend, with an agreement said to secure MotoGP events through 2030. The circuit is also a regular stop on Brazil's Stock Car Pro Series calendar, hosting two rounds in 2026, alongside Copa Truck, SuperBike Brasil, Stock Light, Turismo Nacional and Fórmula 4 Brasil.

Getting there and parking

The circuit sits in southeastern Goiânia, a short drive from the city centre, with Santa Genoveva Airport serving as the main gateway for visitors flying in. Most fans arrive by car or taxi/rideshare, and event organisers typically run additional shuttle or bus services from central Goiânia on major race weekends such as MotoGP and Stock Car rounds.

• Santa Genoveva Airport (GYN) · about 25 min drive

Parking

On-site and nearby parking areas operate for event weekends; arrive early for headline events such as the MotoGP weekend, when demand is highest.

Hotels and camping near Autódromo Internacional Ayrton Senna (Goiânia)

Goiânia has a good range of hotels across the city, with the areas around Setor Bueno, Setor Oeste and the city centre offering the widest choice of accommodation within a short drive of the circuit. Hotel availability tightens and prices rise around the MotoGP and headline Stock Car weekends, so early booking is recommended for those dates.

Where to look

Setor Bueno, Setor Oeste and central Goiânia offer the widest range of hotels within easy reach of the circuit.

Track days, driving experiences and lap records

Public track days and organised driving events run periodically at the circuit outside its professional race calendar, typically arranged through local motorsport clubs and the venue's own event calendar rather than a single dedicated operator; visitors should check the circuit's official channels for current dates.

Spectator guide

The 2025-2026 renovation upgraded grandstand and general admission areas ahead of MotoGP's return, giving fans improved sightlines along the main straight and infield corners. General admission hillside and infield areas remain a popular, lower-cost way to see multiple corners of the circuit during major event weekends.

Seating

Grandstands run along the main straight and start-finish area, with general admission zones around the infield corners.

Weather

• March (MotoGP): Goiânia's dry season is approaching; warm days around 28-30°C with lower rain chances than the summer months

History of Autódromo Internacional Ayrton Senna (Goiânia)

From regional circuit to Ayrton Senna's name

The Autódromo Internacional de Goiânia opened in October 1974 in the state of Goiás, built as the region's flagship motorsport venue under state government ownership. For its first decade or so it served mainly Brazilian regional and national racing, but its profile rose sharply in the late 1980s when it hosted the Brazilian motorcycle Grand Prix in the premier 500cc class for three consecutive years, from 1987 to 1989. In November 1989, the Goiás state legislature renamed the circuit the Autódromo Internacional Ayrton Senna, honouring the Brazilian Formula 1 world champion during his own racing career.

Decades as a national-series venue

Through the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s the circuit settled into life as one of several strong regional venues on Brazil's national motorsport circuit, hosting Stock Car Brasil, Copa Truck since 2017, SuperBike Brasil and the Goiano de Motovelocidade series, alongside occasional international-level events. It did not, however, return to MotoGP's calendar during this period, as Brazil's round of the world championship moved between other venues and lapsed entirely for long stretches.

A R$250 million renovation and MotoGP's return

Between 2025 and 2026 the Goiás state government invested around R$250 million in modernising the circuit, upgrading safety barriers, run-off areas, pit and paddock facilities to current international standards. The work paid off in March 2026, when the circuit hosted MotoGP's long-awaited return to Brazil, drawing a reported crowd of roughly 148,000 fans across the weekend and securing, by local reporting, an agreement to keep MotoGP events at the venue through 2030. The renovated circuit continues to anchor Brazil's Stock Car Pro Series calendar alongside its new international motorcycling role.

Frequently asked questions

Other tracks nearby

• Autódromo Internacional Nelson Piquet, Brasília · 173 km · road course
• Ribeirão Preto Street Circuit · 508 km · historic circuit (defunct)
• Circuito dos Cristais · 557 km · road course & oval
• Autódromo Velo Città · 666 km · road course
• Autódromo Internacional Orlando Moura · 695 km · road course
• Autódromo Internacional Ayrton Senna (Londrina) · 758 km · road course