The 2026 Speedway Grand Prix season returns on Saturday, May 23, with one of the most historic rounds in the championship — the FIM Speedway GP of Czech Republic in Prague.
After an exciting season opener in Landshut, the series now heads to the famous Marketa Stadium, a venue that has become one of the true homes of Speedway Grand Prix racing.
For many fans, Prague is one of the most recognizable stops on the calendar. The atmosphere is unique, the stadium is usually packed, and the racing often produces dramatic moments.
Prague has hosted Speedway Grand Prix 31 times
The first Speedway Grand Prix event in Prague took place in 1997.
That night was won by legendary American rider Greg Hancock, who later became a four-time world champion. Second place went to another American, Billy Hamill, while Polish icon Tomasz Gollob finished third.
Since then, Prague has become the most traditional venue in the modern Grand Prix era. Including the upcoming round, the Czech capital will host Speedway Grand Prix racing for the 32nd time.
Five riders have won in Prague three times:
Tai Woffinden
Jason Crump
Nicki Pedersen
Martin Vaculik
Bartosz Zmarzlik
That means Bartosz Zmarzlik has a chance to become the most successful Prague winner in Speedway Grand Prix history.
Another impressive record belongs to Australian legend Jason Crump, who reached the Prague final an incredible 10 times.
How Speedway Grand Prix qualifying works
Qualifying starts at 2:00 PM Central European Time on Saturday.
The result of qualifying is important because riders then choose their starting numbers for the main event. Those numbers determine their starting positions and race schedule for the evening.
For new fans, Speedway Grand Prix events include:
20 regular heats
semifinals
the final race
Each heat features four riders racing over four laps on an oval dirt track.
Bartosz Zmarzlik enters Prague as the favorite
According to bookmakers, world champion Bartosz Zmarzlik is the main favorite to win in Prague. The Polish superstar is once again chasing another world title and already has three Prague victories to his name. Two Australians — Jack Holder and Brady Kurtz — are also considered major contenders after strong recent form.
Prague Speedway Grand Prix odds
(Decimal / UK / US format)
Bartosz Zmarzlik (Poland) – 2.50 / 6/4 / +150
Jack Holder (Australia) – 6.50 / 11/2 / +550
Brady Kurtz (Australia) – 6.50 / 11/2 / +550
Robert Lambert (Great Britain) – 8.00 / 7/1 / +700
Kacper Woryna (Poland) – 12.00 / 11/1 / +1100
Patryk Dudek (Poland) – 15.00 / 14/1 / +1400
Michael Jepsen Jensen (Denmark) – 16.00 / 15/1 / +1500
Anders Thomsen (Denmark) – 20.00 / 19/1 / +1900
Andzejs Lebedevs (Latvia) – 25.00 / 24/1 / +2400
Leon Madsen (Denmark) – 30.00 / 29/1 / +2900
Jason Doyle (Australia) – 30.00 / 29/1 / +2900
Max Fricke (Australia) – 40.00 / 39/1 / +3900
Dominik Kubera (Poland) – 60.00 / 59/1 / +5900
Jan Kvech (Czech Republic) – 60.00 / 59/1 / +5900
Nazar Parnitsky (Ukraine) – 75.00 / 74/1 / +7400
Adam Bednar (Czech Republic) – 150.00 / 149/1 / +14900
Current Speedway Grand Prix standings
After 1 of 10 rounds:
Kacper Woryna (Poland) – 20
Daniel Bewley (Great Britain) – 18
Bartosz Zmarzlik (Poland) – 16
Robert Lambert (Great Britain) – 14
Fredrik Lindgren (Sweden) – 12
There are already major injury stories early in the season.
Daniel Bewley is expected to miss most of the year because of injury, while Fredrik Lindgren will not race in Prague.
That creates a big opportunity for riders like Zmarzlik, Holder, Kurtz, and Lambert to gain important championship points early in the season.
How to watch Speedway Grand Prix Czech Republic
Fans can check TV and streaming availability in their country here: