Motocross Race Today: What Time Does the Gate Drop?

Motocross Race Today: What Time Does the Gate Drop?

Honestly, if you’re staring at your screen trying to figure out what time is the motocross race today, you’re probably a bit frustrated. The schedules for professional dirt bike racing change more often than a privateer changes oil.

Right now, we are officially in the heart of the 2026 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season. Today is Thursday, January 15, 2026. If you're looking for a live professional race right this second, you're actually a couple of days early for the next big gate drop.

Supercross races almost exclusively happen on Saturdays. The next major event is Round 2 of the 2026 season, taking place this coming Saturday, January 17, at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California.

When to Watch the Next Race

Since there isn't a live pro race on a Thursday, you should be preping for the San Diego showdown. Here is the specific timing you need to know for Saturday, January 17.

Race Day Live kicks off the morning festivities. This is where you see qualifying and the riders trying to dial in the track. It starts at 1:00 p.m. ET (10:00 a.m. PT) exclusively on Peacock.

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The actual Main Event gate drop—the part everyone cares about—is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT).

Breaking Down the San Diego Schedule

  • Qualifying/Practice: 1:00 p.m. ET
  • Pre-Race Show: 6:30 p.m. ET
  • Opening Ceremonies: 7:00 p.m. ET
  • Heat Races: Immediately following ceremonies
  • Main Events: Roughly 8:50 p.m. ET for the 250 class and 9:30 p.m. ET for the 450s.

Keep in mind that if you miss the live broadcast, NBC usually runs an encore presentation. For this specific San Diego round, the encore is slated for Sunday, January 18, at 2:00 p.m. ET.

Why Thursday is Actually Important for Fans

While the bikes aren't screaming around the stadium today, Thursday is usually "Press Day" or the day teams are hauling their massive rigs into the stadium.

If you are a hardcore fan, today is when the news starts dropping. This is when we find out if a rider from the Anaheim 1 season opener is nursing a "hush-hush" wrist injury or if a team has swapped out a suspension setup that didn't work last week.

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In the 2026 season, the competition is incredibly tight. Jett Lawrence and Eli Tomac are still the names on everyone’s lips, but after the chaos we saw last weekend at the opener, the points chase is wide open. Thursday is for the scouts and the super-fans.

Where to Stream the Action

In 2026, the SuperMotocross (SMX) World Championship has basically tied everything to Peacock.

It’s the one-stop shop. You get the qualifying, the heats, and the mains without having to flip through four different cable channels. If you’re outside the United States, you’ll need the SuperMotocross Video Pass, which is the international version that carries the same live feed.

The 2026 Supercross Calendar at a Glance

If you want to plan your next few weekends so you aren't searching for the time every five minutes, here is what the next month looks like:

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  • Jan 17: San Diego, CA (Snapdragon Stadium) - 7:00 p.m. ET
  • Jan 24: Anaheim, CA (Angel Stadium - Round 2 of Anaheim) - 7:00 p.m. ET
  • Jan 31: Houston, TX (NRG Stadium) - 7:00 p.m. ET
  • Feb 7: Glendale, AZ (State Farm Stadium) - 7:00 p.m. ET

The 2026 season is following the traditional West Coast start before it heads East. This means for those of us on the East Coast, we’re looking at late nights for the next few weeks. Stock up on coffee.

Final Check for Today

So, to recap: there is no live pro motocross or supercross race today, Thursday, January 15. Your best bet is to set an alert for Saturday at 1:00 p.m. ET for qualifying and 7:00 p.m. ET for the night program.

If you absolutely need a dirt bike fix today, I'd suggest checking out the "SMX Insider" or "Race Day Live" archives on Peacock. They usually post mid-week updates and interviews that fill the gap between the Saturday night lights.

Get your Peacock subscription updated now so you aren't scrambling when the 450s line up on the gate this Saturday in San Diego. Check the local weather for San Diego too, as open-air stadiums like Snapdragon can turn into a "mudder" if the coastal rain moves in, which completely changes the race start strategy.


Actionable Next Steps:

  1. Confirm your Peacock login before Saturday morning to avoid the "forgot password" loop during qualifying.
  2. Set a calendar alert for 6:55 p.m. ET this Saturday so you don't miss the opening ceremonies—the pyrotechnics are half the fun.
  3. Follow the riders on social media today to see the first look at the San Diego track layout as it gets built.