Jonathan Rea retired as the most decorated rider in World Superbike history, having accumulated six championship titles and 119 race victories across his career. Rea was subsequently appointed as a test rider for Honda. Razgatlioglu, who had established himself as the benchmark in the class across multiple seasons, moved to the Prima Pramac Yamaha squad in MotoGP, leaving the title race open after years of dominance shared between the two rivals.
The provisional 2026 season calendar was announced on July 31, 2025.
Petronas MIE Racing Honda Team withdrew from the championship after six seasons of competition. Superbike Advocates Racing entered the series as a new outfit, fielding Ducati machinery with Tommy Bridewell as their rider.
The departure of Razgatlioglu and the retirement of Rea triggered a significant reshaping of the grid. Somkiat Chantra, joining from MotoGP where he had ridden for LCR Honda, and Jake Dixon, arriving from Moto2 with the Marc VDS team, both made their World Superbike debuts with Honda HRC. They replaced Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge respectively. Lecuona moved to the Aruba.it Racing Ducati squad, while Vierge joined PATA Maxus Yamaha.
Alvaro Bautista, a former world champion, joined Barni Spark Racing Team, the Ducati satellite operation, after departing the factory Ducati team at the end of 2025. Danilo Petrucci left Barni Spark Racing Team after three seasons to join ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team, filling the vacancy left by Michael van der Mark.
Five-time MotoGP race winner Miguel Oliveira made his World Superbike debut at ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team, taking the seat vacated by Razgatlioglu, who moved in the opposite direction to MotoGP.
Mattia Rato made his World Superbike debut with Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team, replacing Michael Ruben Rinaldi. Lorenzo Baldassarri returned to the World Superbike class for the first time since 2023, joining Team GoEleven in place of Andrea Iannone, who departed after two seasons with the team. Iannone had attempted to form his own outfit, Cainam Racing Team, which appeared on the provisional entry list but produced no further public confirmation.
Reigning Supersport World Champion Stefano Manzi stepped up to the premier class with GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team, replacing Dominique Aegerter, who returned to the Supersport World Championship. Alberto Surra made his World Superbike debut with Motocorsa Racing, taking over from Ryan Vickers. Tarran Mackenzie retained his place at MGM Bonovo Racing, having originally joined the team as a replacement rider mid-season in 2025 following Scott Redding's departure from the series.
Points are awarded across two main race formats. Race 1 and Race 2 follow the full-distance format, while the shorter Superpole Race awards a reduced points scale. Standings are tracked for individual riders and for teams, with a separate manufacturers' championship recognising the top-performing motorcycle brands.