The circuit was designed in 1969, built between 1970 and 1972, and inaugurated with its first event that year at an initial length of 3.488 km. This early version of Misano hosted three San Marino motorcycle Grands Prix from 1985 to 1987. In 1993 the track was modified for the first time, extending its length to 4.060 km and adding new pit garages and facilities. A further series of improvements between 1996 and 2001 expanded the pits and grandstands.
The circuit as it exists for MotoGP today bears little resemblance to those earlier configurations. In 2006, an extensive reconstruction reversed the circuit's direction to clockwise, widened the track to 14 metres, extended its length to 4.180 km (later refined to 4.226 km), and brought the facilities up to the standard required for a return to the world championship. The first MotoGP race on the revised circuit was the 2007 San Marino and Rimini Riviera Grand Prix, won by Ducati — a fitting result given the marque's factory is based in nearby Bologna.
The circuit's connection to Marco Simoncelli runs deep. Simoncelli was born in Cattolica, a town a few kilometres south of Misano Adriatico, and grew up in the nearby town of Coriano. He was an Italian MotoGP rider known for aggressive, spectacular riding before his death on 23 October 2011 during the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang. On 3 November 2011, the circuit's owners announced it would be renamed in his honour. The formal dedication was confirmed on 8 June 2012 at the Superbike World Championship round, and the circuit has officially carried his name since then. It is also informally referred to as Misano Circuit Sic 58, using Simoncelli's racing number.
Since returning to the calendar in 2007, Misano has established itself as one of the most popular rounds among Italian fans and riders. The circuit's proximity to the Adriatic Riviera tourist coast and its closeness to the Emilia-Romagna motorsport hub — home to Ferrari, Ducati, Lamborghini, and Dallara — gives the event a distinctive atmosphere.
Misano has also hosted additional MotoGP rounds beyond its standard calendar slot. In 2020 and 2021, with several rounds cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the circuit hosted the Emilia Romagna motorcycle Grand Prix as a second round. A further additional round — also named the Emilia Romagna motorcycle Grand Prix — was held at Misano in 2024.
The circuit was the scene of a tragic event in 2010. During the Moto2 race, Japanese rider Shoya Tomizawa lost control of his bike and was struck by both Scott Redding and Alex de Angelis, suffering fatal injuries. The accident occurred 17 years to the day after Wayne Rainey suffered the spinal injury that ended his career at the same circuit during the 1993 Italian Grand Prix.
The 4.226 km clockwise layout features a varied mix of corners ranging from tight hairpins to fast flowing sequences. The pit straight runs approximately 630 metres. The circuit's character rewards smooth technical riding and strong traction out of slower corners, making it a circuit where corner exit drive and rear grip management are key factors. The track sits in relatively flat terrain on the Adriatic coastal plain, with minimal elevation change.
Misano occupies a distinctive place on the MotoGP calendar as both a modern rebuilt circuit and one with roots going back more than five decades. Its association with Marco Simoncelli gives it an emotional resonance within Italian motorsport that few other venues share. The San Marino and Rimini Riviera Grand Prix routinely draws some of the most passionate crowds of the season, and the circuit's frequent doubling-up as an emergency substitute venue has demonstrated its reliability and logistical capacity as a Grand Prix host.