MotoGP 26 ships with the most expanded online suite the series has seen, and if you're jumping straight into multiplayer without knowing what's changed, you'll waste time fumbling through menus instead of racing. Cross-play is now live across most platforms, grids have grown to a full 22 riders, and a new livery-sharing system means your custom helmet design might end up on an actual MotoGP bike. Here's everything you need to know to get online and stay competitive.
What platforms support cross-play in MotoGP 26?
According to the official MotoGP 26 launch announcement, cross-play is supported across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, ROG Xbox Ally, ROG Xbox Ally X, and PC (via Steam, Microsoft Store, and Epic Games Store). The one catch: Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 are excluded from cross-play entirely.
That platform split also affects grid size. On Switch, you're capped at 12 riders per race. Switch 2 bumps that up to 16 riders. Every other platform gets the full 22-player grid, which is a meaningful difference when you're trying to experience the chaos of a proper race start.
If you're playing on Nintendo Switch or Switch 2, cross-play and cross-sharing for liveries are both unavailable. Factor this in before buying if online competition is your main focus.
Grid size comparison by platform
How does matchmaking work in MotoGP 26?
Milestone confirmed that matchmaking has been improved for MotoGP 26, though specific details on the ranking or rating system behind it weren't disclosed in the launch materials. What the official announcement does confirm is that the improved matchmaking works alongside the new Dynamic Rider Ratings system, which tracks real-world MotoGP performance across four attributes: time attack, race pace, head-to-head, and reliability. These ratings update based on actual 2026 season results, so the competitive field in online lobbies reflects the real grid's current form.
Pay attention to Dynamic Rider Ratings before picking your rider for ranked sessions. A rider on a strong real-world run will have better stats, giving you a measurable edge in certain categories.
Dynamic Rider Ratings breakdown
Split-screen: local multiplayer is still here
Split-screen mode returns in MotoGP 26, confirmed by the official launch announcement. This is straightforward local co-op racing, letting two players share a screen without needing separate consoles or internet connections. It's not the flashiest feature in the package, but it's consistently one of the most requested modes in racing games and Milestone has kept it alive.
No specific details on split-screen limitations (such as whether it supports all tracks or modes) were provided in the available source material, so check in-game options for the full scope.
Split-screen is confirmed but the available sources don't specify which modes or circuits it covers. Verify in-game before setting up a local session.
How does the livery editor and sharing system work?
MotoGP 26 includes advanced editors for helmets, numbers, and liveries, and players can share their creations with the wider community. The cross-sharing feature works on all platforms except Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2.
The standout addition here is the MotoGP 2026 Helmet Design Contest. Milestone and Dorna are running a competition where the best community-designed helmet gets produced as a real physical item and worn by an actual MotoGP rider during an official race weekend. That's a direct line between your in-game creativity and the real paddock, and it's worth taking seriously if you have any design instincts.
What can you customize?
- Helmets: full design editor with community sharing
- Numbers: custom race number styling
- Liveries: bike livery editor with share functionality
- Contest: top helmet design worn by a real MotoGP rider at a race weekend
Collectable cards and progression rewards
Online play feeds into MotoGP 26's broader progression system. Completing events across different modes unlocks collectable card packs, with over 100 cards available featuring riders, circuits, and historic bikes. Some cards include exclusive artwork by Japanese artist Ranka Fujiwara. This gives online sessions a secondary reward loop beyond just finishing positions, which helps keep grinding through matchmaking feel worthwhile.
Tips for getting the most out of MotoGP 26 online
- Choose your platform deliberately. If you want the full 22-player experience, avoid Switch. The difference between 12 and 22 riders changes how races play out fundamentally.
- Use Dynamic Rider Ratings as a scouting tool. The four-attribute breakdown (time attack, race pace, head-to-head, reliability) tells you exactly where a rider is strong. Pick based on the track type and session format.
- Spend time in the livery editor. The Helmet Design Contest is a real-world opportunity, not just a cosmetic side activity. Community sharing also gets your work in front of a large audience.
- Engage with the card progression system. Completing events in multiple modes stacks your card unlocks faster, and the Ranka Fujiwara exclusive artwork cards are worth chasing.
- Practice in the new physics system before going online. The rider-based handling model, where body shifts and weight transfer directly affect cornering and braking, is meaningfully different from previous entries. Jumping into online races before adapting to it will cost you positions.
MotoGP 26's physics overhaul affects both Pro and Arcade modes. Even if you're playing Arcade online, the new rider animations and weight transfer model change how the bike responds. Put in practice laps before your first ranked race.
For more on career mode, physics settings, and everything else MotoGP 26 has to offer, the full MotoGP 26 strategy guides collection has you covered.