Next year's MotoGP World Championship will feature an expanded 18-race schedule, according to the provisional calendar issued by motorcycle racing's governing body, the FIM.

Silverstone's return to the series for the first time since the 1980s, will happen on June 20, the British Grand Prix taking place a month earlier than normal, and effectively swapping places with the Barcelona race, which moves back to July.

The 18th race will be held at the Balatonring circuit in Hungary. A grand prix was originally scheduled for this season, but was dropped as the circuit was not completed in time.

As usual, the season-opening Qatar Grand Prix will take place at night and the Dutch TT will be held on its traditional Saturday in June. Should any of the races fail to go ahead, the new Motorland Aragon circuit in Spain will step in to the breach.

April 11 *        Qatar              Doha/Losail
April 25          Japan              Motegi
May 2             Spain              Jerez de la Frontera
May 23            France             Le Mans
June 6            Italy              Mugello
June 20           Great Britain      Silverstone
June 26 **        Netherlands        Assen
July 4            Catalunya          Catalunya
July 18           Germany            Sachsenring
July 25 ***       United States      Laguna Seca
August 22         Czech Rep.         Brno
August 29         Indianapolis       Indianapolis
September 5       San Marino         Misano
September 19      Hungary            Balatonring
October 10        Malaysia           Sepang
October 17        Australia          Phillip Island
October 31        Portugal           Estoril
November 7        Valencia           Ricardo Tormo - Valencia

*   Evening Race
**  Saturday
*** Only MotoGP class