Here is the latest on the 2026 World Superbike rider line-up as of the Estoril World Superbike Round...

Ducati:

Aruba.it Racing - Ducati:

The Aruba.it Racing - Ducati has announced both of its riders for next season, and it has been revealed that its most recent Champion will leave at the end of the season.

Nicolo Bulega has been confirmed in the Ducati World Superbike factory squad as he re-signed with the team for the 2026 season. Part of his deal will also see him help develop Ducati's 2027 MotoGP machine on Pirelli tyres.

On the other side of the garage, Alvaro Bautista has been informed that he will be let go at the end of the season. The Spaniard will be replaced by fellow Spaniard, Iker Lecuona, who will leave Team HRC after four years.

ELF Marc VDS Racing Team:

The Belgian team and Sam Lowes have put pen to paper on a new deal for the 2026 and 2027 World Superbike seasons. Extending their long-standing partnership that has spanned across Moto2 and World Superbikes.

Barni Spark Racing Team:

Danilo Petrucci's replacement in the Barni Spark Racing Team has been named as Alvaro Bautista. The two-time World Superbike Champion has signed a one-year deal to ride for the Italian team in 2026.

Yari Montella has re-signed with the Italian team for the 2026 season, which will be his fourth year with the team.

Motocorsa Racing:

Ryan Vickers had originally signed a two-year deal with the Motocorsa Racing for the 2025 and 2026 World Superbike seasons.

However, after revealing he was looking at other options for next season, it was announced that the British rider and the Italian team would be parting ways at the end of the 2025 campaign.

Team Pata GoEleven:

Denis Sacchetti, the Team Manager at Team Pata GoEleven, has stated that GoElevens' "time with Andrea Iannone has come to an end." Iannone himself has now revealed that he will be departing the Italian team at the end of the season.

After being linked with Xavi Vierge and Dominique Aegerter, it appears nailed on that Lorenzo Baldassarri will ride for the GoEleven squad in 2026.

Superbike Advocates: (Rumoured)

No official announcement has been made, but speculation and rumours around the paddock suggest that Superbike Advocates will enter the World Superbike Championship in 2026.

The Australian team will debut in British Superbikes next season, but is now expected to also enter World Superbikes with Andrea Iannone next season. Iannone has remained tight-lipped on his 'big project', but paddock rumours continue to drive the story.

BMW:

ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team:

BMW have put pen to paper with a rider for the 2026 World Superbike Championship as the German manufacturer has signed Danilo Petrucci to replace the departing Toprak Razgatlioglu.

Michael van der Mark is out of contract with the German manufacturer and has confirmed that he will not be in World Superbikes next season.

After the Aragon World Superbike Round, BMW were able to announce the arrival of Miguel Oliveira to World Superbikes for the 2026 season.

Bimota:

Bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team:

The bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team line-up is completely confirmed as they decided to retain both riders for 2026.

Alex Lowes and Axel Bassani will remain with the Italian manufacturer for a second season after the KB998 Rimini made its debut this season.

Yamaha:

Pata Maxus Yamaha WorldSBK Team:

The factory Yamaha World Superbike squad have announced one of its two riders for next season. Andrea Locatelli has already put pen to paper on a two-year deal for 2026 and 2027 after winning his maiden Superbike race at Assen.

Jonathan Rea will not remain with the factory Yamaha squad as the six-time World Superbike Champion has announced his retirement from full-time racing.

After letting Can Oncu test the Yamaha R1 at Cremona, the factory Yamaha squad decided to go in a different direction. Instead of signing the Turkish rider, they opted to go with Xavi Vierge for the 2026 season.

GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team:

Remy Gardner has put pen to paper on a two-year deal to remain in the GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team.

Stefano Manzi will step up to the World Superbike Championship next season after signing a two-year deal with the GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team.

Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team:

The owner of Motoxracing had discussed withdrawing from World Superbikes at the end of the season. However, the Italian team will remain on the grid for the 2026 season.

Yamaha Motoxracing has reportedly re-signed Bahattin Sofuoglu for a second season, but it is unknown if he will have a teammate next year.

Honda:

Team HRC:

The current Team HRC line-up of Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge will both leave the Japanese manufacturer at the end of the season as they head off to Ducati and Yamaha.

However, it has been confirmed that they will be replaced by British rider Jake Dixon and Thai rider Somkiat Chantra.

Both riders will enter World Superbikes after competing in the 2025 Moto2 and MotoGP World Championships.

Petronas MIE Racing Honda:

The future of the Japanese Petronas MIE Racing Honda Team remains uncertain. Rumours around the World Superbike paddock suggest the independent Honda squad will withdraw from the series at the end of the year.

Kawasaki:

Kawasaki WorldSBK Team:

Despite a disappointing start to the 2025 World Superbike Championship, Garrett Gerloff and the Kawasaki WorldSBK Team will continue together in 2026.