Here is the latest on the 2026 World Superbike rider line-up ahead of the United Kingdom WorldSBK Round...

Ducati:

Aruba.it Racing - Ducati:

The Aruba.it Racing - Ducati has announced one of its riders for next season, and it has been revealed that their 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. This has resulted in Danilo Petrucci, Andrea Iannone, and Yari Montella being linked to the factory Ducati seat.

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.

Motocorsa Racing:

The independent Ducati squad have had its 2026 World Superbike line-up sorted since last season. The Italian team and Ryan Vickers signed a two-year deal for the 2025 and 2026 seasons, so he will stay put.

Barni Spark Racing Team:

The Barni Spark Racing Team has announced one of their riders for the 2026 season. Yari Montella has re-signed with the Italian team for the 2026 season, which will be his fourth year with the team.

It looks unlikely that Danilo Petrucci will get the vacant factory Ducati seat, it is expected that he will remain put as he has stated that he feels good where he is.

Team Pata GoEleven:

Current Team Pata GoEleven rider, Andrea Iannone, has admitted he wants a factory World Superbike ride for 2026. This desire for a spot in a full factory outfit will likely see the Italian leave GoEleven after two seasons.

There have been no concrete links for the independent Ducati squad, but Jonathan Rea and Alessandro Delbianco's names have been mentioned.

MGM Bonovo:

There has been no official confirmation from the German team, but as it stands, it appears unlikely that they will remain on the World Superbike grid in 2026. This would leave Scott Redding without a ride in the World Superbike paddock.

BMW:

ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team:

The sole BMW squad in the World Superbike Championship have no riders signed for next season and will lose Toprak Razgatlioglu as he is off to MotoGP next year.

Michael van der Mark is also out of contract with the German manufacturer and is in the middle of a difficult season in his fifth year with the team.

The latest from Misano suggested that Xavi Vierge could become a BMW rider in 2026, but it is unclear whether van der Mark will remain.

Bimota:

Bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team:

The only completely confirmed factory World Superbike line-up for 2026 is the bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team.

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.

It does not appear that Jonathan Rea will remain in the Yamaha garage, although he remains open to the idea. No replacement has been named, but Stefano Manzi and Jack Miller's names have been mentioned as potential replacements for the six-time Champion.

GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team:

Neither Remy Gardner nor Dominique Aegerter finds themselves in the top ten of the Championship at the halfway point of the season.

It appears that changes will be made in the GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team for 2026, with the likes of Can Oncu impressing in World Supersport. He could find his way onto a Superbike next season.

Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team:

There has already been a midseason change in the Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team as Tito Rabat has been replaced with Michael Ruben Rinaldi.

The future of Bahattin Sofuoglu and Rinaldi remains up in the air, as the Motoxracing squad will likely be one of the last teams to announce their squad.

Honda:

Team HRC:

Both factory Honda riders are out of contract at the end of the season, and it appears that drastic changes could be on the way for the Japanese manufacturer.

Alvaro Bautista's name has been linked to a potential return to Honda after he was left out of Ducati's 2026 plans.

Andrea Iannone's name had been linked to Honda back at Cremona, and with his search for a factory seat, there is a chance he could sign for Honda.

Petronas MIE Racing Honda:

Tarran Mackenzie has walked away from the MIE Racing Honda squad after two and a half years together. It appears that the 2021 British Superbike Champion's future will be back in the British Superbike paddock.

Zaqhwan Zaidi is out of contract at the end of the season, and the Malaysian team usually do their business late in the year, so there have been no reports over the Malaysian rider's future.

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.

There have been rumours that a second Puccetti-run Kawasaki ZX-10RR could be on the grid next season, but nothing official has been announced.