MotoGP Esports returns for 2022 with expanded format, €50,000 prize pool

MotoGP Esports is set to return this year with bigger prizes and an expanded format, it has been announced.

The 2022 event follows a similar path to previous seasons, with a series of four Online Challenges deciding the top 24 virtual riders in the world to go into the Pro Draft, on PC, PlayStation and Xbox.

The Pro Draft is a chance for the official Moto GP race teams to pick esports riders to represent them in the Global Series, held over 10 races and five events – three of which will be on-site at MotoGP races.

Three more riders will join the grid as qualifiers from the 2021 Rising Stars championship, bringing the total number of riders to 27 for the Global Series.

The first Online Challenge begins on the 3rd of March, with players taking to the sweeping curves of Donington Park GP.

The choice of bike, however, will be decided by a community vote between Kevin Schwantz’s 1993 Suzuki 500, Wayne Rainey’s 1993 Yamaha 500, Mick Doohan’s 1994 Honda 500 or Alex Crivillé’s 1999 Honda 500.

With a cash pool of €50,000 as well as prizes from series sponsors up for grabs, this year’s MotoGP Esports Championship is set to be the biggest yet, with competitors aiming to depose three-time champion Trast73 from his MotoGP Esports throne.

The Global Series will use Milestone’s MotoGP 22, which will be released on 21st April – as we reported today, while the Online Challenges prior to the Pro Draft will be conducted using MotoGP 21.

On-site Global Series races will take place at Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello, Red Bull Ring and the Ricardo Tormo Circuit, Valencia, coinciding with the real-life MotoGP races.

With the Rising Stars Series continuing in September, this year is set to be the busiest and most competitive yet for MotoGP Esports. We will of course report on further date and format announcements as and when they are revealed.

Are you looking forward to having a go at MotoGP Esports this year? Let us know in the comments below.

MotoGP Esports Championship Global Series dates

• Round 1 Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello, 27th May 2022
• Round 2 Virtual race, 1st July 2022
• Round 3 Red Bull Ring, Austria, 19th August 2022
• Round 4 Virtual race, 23rd September 2022
• Round 5 Ricardo Tormo Circuit, Valencia, 4th November 2022