Here is the latest on the 2026 World Superbike rider line-up during the summer break...

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 Jaume Masia and Aron Canet 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.

Danilo Petrucci will not remain with the Barni Spark Racing Team for a fourth season. The Italian team have been in contact with Iker Lecuona and Jonathan Rea as potential replacements for the Italian.

Team Pata GoEleven:

Denis Sacchetti, the Team Manager at Team Pata GoEleven, has recently stated that GoElevens' "time with Andrea Iannone has come to an end."

The Italian team has been linked with the likes of Dominique Aegerter and Alessandro Delbianco, but they would need to bring money to the team.

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. However, Scott Redding has left the team to make a full-time return to British Superbikes.

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

Rumours also suggest that BMW has attempted to sign Maverick Vinales and is also in discussions with Aron Canet.

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.

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 Jack Miller's name has been mentioned as a potential replacement for the six-time Champion.

Despite rumours suggesting that he could enter the Moto2 World Championship in 2026, Can Oncu has requested a test with the Yamaha R1 before he decides his future. This could see the Turkish rider enter the Pata Yamaha squad next 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:

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.

The latest name that has been linked to the factory Honda World Superbike squad is Moto2 race winner, Jake Dixon. Some reports even suggest that the British rider has signed a two-year deal with Honda for 2026 and 2027.

Petronas MIE Racing Honda:

Tito Rabat stepped into the Petronas MIE Racing Honda squad to replace the departing Tarran Mackenzie. But as it stands, the Spaniard will only finish the 2025 season with the Malaysian squad; no future deal has been announced.

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.