Which circuit hosted the first night race in MotoGP history?

The Losail International Circuit hosted MotoGP’s first night race. The landmark event was the 2008 Qatar Grand Prix, held under permanent floodlights in Doha, Qatar.

Losail opened in 2004 and initially hosted conventional daytime racing. Organizers later installed extensive permanent lighting, allowing the circuit to move its premier-class race into the cooler nighttime hours. Qatar’s intense heat was an important practical reason for the change, while the unusual spectacle also helped attract international television audiences.

The 2008 MotoGP race began at 11 p.m. local time on March 9. Casey Stoner won for Ducati, ahead of rookie Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa. The event established Qatar as the championship’s signature night-race venue.

The circuit is now commonly called Lusail International Circuit, following a modernized spelling and venue rebranding. “Losail International Circuit” remains the historically familiar name and is the canonical answer for this question. Yas Marina became associated with Formula 1 night racing, not MotoGP’s first night event.