- MXGP 26 release date PS5: The official FIM Motocross World Championship game is now available on PlayStation 5.
- New engine: Built solely by Artifact Studio in France on Unreal Engine 5, replacing the old KT Engine.
- PS5 performance: Reliable 60 FPS with dynamic weather, real-time track deformation, and detailed bike visuals.
- Content: 2026 riders, liveries, and 19 faithfully recreated circuits across MXGP and MX2 classes.
- Key caveat: No career mode, split screen, or cross-platform play at launch.
MXGP 26 Release Date and PS5 Launch Overview
MXGP 26 release date PS5 coverage starts with the big picture: after a two-year gap following the poorly received MXGP 2024, the official game of the FIM Motocross World Championship returned on PlayStation 5, published by Nacon and developed entirely by Artifact Studio. The franchise reboot runs on Unreal Engine 5 rather than Kylotonn's proprietary KT Engine, and the change is immediately visible in both visuals and handling.
Video Highlights:
- A night-and-day improvement over MXGP 2024, though still short of genre leaders
- PS5 testing showed a reliable 60 FPS with no obvious hiccups
- Track surfaces degrade in real time based on your racing lines
- AI opponents remain the biggest weakness, crashing at odd places and spreading out quickly
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Developer | Artifact Studio (France) |
| Publisher | Nacon |
| Engine | Unreal Engine 5 |
| Platform Focus | PS5, PC, current-gen consoles |
| Official License | FIM Motocross World Championship, 2026 season |
| Circuits | 19 tracks, plus Ridisardo standout layout |
| Classes | MX2 and MXGP categories |
If you skipped MXGP 2024, this is the first genuinely playable entry of the modern era on PS5. If you expect a MotoGP or F1-style career mode, temper expectations before purchasing.
What Changed Since MXGP 2024
The publisher made an unusual but wise decision after MXGP 2024's disappointing reception: it handed the entire project to a single studio, paid for a new graphics engine, and let them build fresh. That reset defines the MXGP 26 experience.
MXGP 2024 (KT Engine)
- Dated visuals and lackluster presentation
- Vehicle dynamics felt stiff and unnatural
- Widely considered one of the most disappointing releases of its year
MXGP 26 (Unreal Engine 5)
- Real-time track degradation on mud, sand, and hard-pack
- Dynamic weather with naturalistic puddles
- Large trackside crowds, smoke effects, detailed bikes
Handling Overhaul
- Bikes feel much more poised than two years ago
- Brake-slide animations where the rear steps out
- Physics on the serious side — crashes are frequent and punishing
| Feature | MXGP 2024 | MXGP 26 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | KT Engine (proprietary) | Unreal Engine 5 |
| Studio Setup | Artifact + Kylotonn split | Artifact Studio sole developer |
| Track Surface | Static | Real-time deformation |
| Weather | Basic | Dynamic rain, naturalistic puddles |
| Rider Detail | Minimal | Wind-blown shirts, gradual dirt build-up |
| Overall Verdict | Very poor | Significant improvement |
MXGP 26 is tougher than its official-license framing suggests. Landing jumps heavy, clipping signage, or hitting a berm at an awkward angle will send you flying. Newcomers will need real patience on PS5.
Game Modes on PS5 at Launch
Mode selection is where MXGP 26 stumbles. The basics are covered, but the package is thinner than direct rivals.
| Mode | Included | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single Grand Prix | Yes | Race AI rivals on any circuit |
| Time Attack | Yes | Bronze/Silver/Gold/Diamond targets, online leaderboards, ghost racing |
| Championship | Yes | MX2 or MXGP season, customizable calendar, race length, and format |
| Career Mode | No | No MX2-to-MXGP progression, team management, or sponsors |
| Training Ground | Partial | Free-roam compound with no tutorials or challenges |
| Multiplayer | Yes | Ranked public lobbies, matchmaking, private lobbies, AI grid fillers |
| Split Screen | No | Omitted |
| Cross-Platform Play | No | Omitted |
| Design Sharing | No | Custom liveries cannot be shared |
The Journey mode partially masks the shortfall by combining championship events, time attack goals, and unlockable customization items into a checklist with completion percentages. It provides a semblance of progression, but it doesn't replace deeper features.
You can paint your bike any color — bright pink included — via a color picker, and unlock then tweak real-world apparel. It's just a shame designs can't be shared online.
Getting Started: First Steps on PS5
Learn a Track Before Racing
Spend your first session in Time Attack on one circuit. Gold times unlock new bike liveries while teaching you braking points and berm entries.
Adjust Riding Assists
The three-axis auto-alignment assist is available, but scrubs and whips can still go wrong mid-air. Test settings with and without assists before committing.
Practice Manual Clutch
With auto clutch, holeshots are nearly guaranteed. Manual clutch adds challenge and better starts against stronger AI.
Run a Championship Season
Customize the calendar and race format, complete an MX2 or MXGP season, then push difficulty toward Expert once Pro feels comfortable.
Fill Out The Journey
Work through Journey tasks to bank customization unlocks and completion percentages for long-term goals.
PS5 Starter Milestones:
- Set a Gold time on three circuits in Time Attack
- Finish a full MX2 championship season
- Win a race on Pro difficulty without qualifying practice
- Master one scrub-to-landing line in dry and wet conditions
- Complete 25% of Journey tasks
Reviewers report winning races on Pro difficulty without practice or qualifying, even after multiple crashes. Expert is not much tougher. Start high and adjust down only if frustrated.
Strengths and Weaknesses Summary
| Category | Rating | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Visuals | ★★★★☆ | Real-time surface degradation, dynamic rain; minor pop-in in pre-race scenes |
| PS5 Performance | ★★★★★ | Reliable 60 FPS, smooth with no obvious hiccups |
| Physics | ★★★☆☆ | Serious and punishing; lacks cohesiveness mid-corner and mid-air |
| Content Depth | ★★☆☆☆ | No career mode, no split screen, no cross-play |
| AI Opponents | ★★☆☆☆ | Short-sighted, slow, crash unpredictably, field spreads out fast |
| Customization | ★★★★☆ | Bike paint picker, unlockable real-world apparel |
MXGP 26 lays strong foundations — tidy visuals, powerful dynamic rain, serious physics, and welcome customization — but weak AI and thin modes mean it plays like a race cake without a topping. Watch for MXGP 27 to add the refinement.
FAQ
Q: Is MXGP 26 out on PS5 now?
Yes. MXGP 26, the official game of the FIM Motocross World Championship with the 2026 riders, liveries, and 19 circuits, is available on PS5 and PC, published by Nacon.
Q: Does MXGP 26 run at 60 FPS on PS5?
Yes. Testing on PS5 showed a reliable 60 frames per second with no obvious hiccups, and high-end PC builds could max out quality settings without issue.
Q: Does MXGP 26 have a career mode?
No. You can run a championship season in MX2 or the MXGP class with a customizable calendar and format, but there is no rider progression, team management, bike development, or sponsor system, and nothing carries across seasons.
Q: Is MXGP 26 better than MXGP 2024?
Significantly. The switch to Unreal Engine 5 and full development by Artifact Studio delivered improved visuals, dynamic weather, real-time track deformation, and more poised bike handling, though the AI and mode selection still lag behind rivals.
Q: Does MXGP 26 support split screen or cross-platform play on PS5?
No. Local split screen and cross-platform online play are both omitted. Multiplayer includes ranked public lobbies with matchmaking, private friend lobbies, and AI fillers for grids.