The circuit's origins date to 2008, but the facility that hosts international racing is effectively the product of a comprehensive rebuild completed in 2012. The redesign brought the track up to FIM Grade A standards, making it eligible for premier-class motorcycle racing. At 4.805 km in length, the layout features a mix of flowing medium-speed corners that favor both technical riding and outright speed.
The circuit's rebirth coincided with a resurgent interest in Argentine motorsport, and the rebuilt facility attracted immediate international attention. In 2013, it hosted rounds 15 and 16 of the FIA World Touring Car Championship as the FIA WTCC Race of Argentina, as well as the first official MotoGP and Moto2 pre-season tests.
The Argentine motorcycle Grand Prix was set to debut at Termas de Río Hondo in 2013, but the event was postponed by one year. The trigger was the Argentine government's nationalisation of Repsol's local subsidiary, which raised safety concerns for the Honda MotoGP team — a major Repsol partner — regarding the guarantee of fuel supply within the country. The race was rescheduled and ultimately returned to Argentina for the first time in fifteen years when the 2014 season visited the circuit as the third round of the calendar.
The Argentine Grand Prix ran at Termas de Río Hondo in 2014 and 2015 before becoming an annual fixture from 2016 onward, with races held through 2019, then again from 2022 following the COVID-19 pandemic interruption. The circuit also hosted rounds in 2023 and 2025.
On 6 February 2021, fire destroyed the circuit's pit buildings. No fatalities were reported, but the damage was extensive, affecting the grandstand, media centre, and pit garages. A major reconstruction project was undertaken, and works were completed in time for the 2022 Argentine Republic motorcycle Grand Prix, allowing the event to return to the calendar after a two-year absence.
Beyond MotoGP, the circuit has hosted a diverse range of competitions. The TC2000 Championship, one of Argentina's top touring car series, visited Termas de Río Hondo between 2008 and 2011 and returned periodically through the 2020s. Top Race V6, Turismo Nacional, Turismo Carretera, and Formula Renault Argentina have all used the circuit. The FIA WTCC Race of Argentina was held at the venue from 2013 to 2017.
From 2016 to 2017 and again from 2022, the Porsche Cup Brasil featured rounds at the facility, reflecting the circuit's appeal as a destination for South American touring and GT racing. In 2023, Penske Entertainment CEO Mark Miles visited the circuit to assess whether it might be suitable for a future IndyCar race, illustrating the track's growing profile beyond motorcycle racing.
Autódromo Termas de Río Hondo represents the resurgence of Argentina on the international motorsport calendar after the country's tracks faded from prominence in the 1990s. The circuit's rebuild gave Argentina a modern, FIM-homologated venue capable of hosting the world's top motorcycle racing championship, while also serving domestic series and regional championships year-round. Its recovery from the 2021 fire within a single calendar year underlined the local commitment to maintaining the facility as a premier South American motorsport destination.