As Memorial Day weekend approaches, motocross fans across the country are gearing up for the return of one of the sport’s most anticipated events—the opening round of the 2025 Pro Motocross Championship. Sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, the series kicks off its 54th season on Saturday with the Pala Casino Fox Raceway National, presented by Fox Racing, in Southern California. This race marks the beginning of the outdoor season and the 18th event in the overall 2025 SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX) calendar.
This year’s championship is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling in history, boasting a star-studded lineup of riders across both the 450 and 250 classes. With elite competitors returning to the track, the level of excitement and competition is expected to reach new heights.
Leading the charge in the 450 Class is the reigning champion, Chase Sexton. Sexton returns to defend his title against a formidable field that includes former champions Jett Lawrence and Eli Tomac. Adding even more depth to the field is Cooper Webb, the recently crowned 450SX Champion, who will be looking to build on his Supercross success as he transitions to the outdoor format.
Also vying for supremacy are last season’s runner-up, Hunter Lawrence, and a host of top-tier contenders like Jason Anderson, Justin Cooper, and Aaron Plessinger. Notably, this summer’s Pro Motocross Championship will be the first time all of these heavy-hitters line up together in the same outdoor series, promising battles of epic proportions. International excitement is also on the rise with the addition of Jorge Prado, the reigning back-to-back MXGP World Champion from Spain, who will make his highly anticipated debut in the American championship.
In the 250 Class, all eyes will be on defending champion Haiden Deegan as he seeks to complete a rare championship trifecta in 2025, with titles in Pro Motocross, Supercross, and the SMX Playoffs all within reach. Deegan, who recently clinched his first 250SX regional Supercross title, enters the summer with momentum and confidence, proudly running the No. 1 plate on his Yamaha.
Joining him in the title hunt is two-time 250 Class National Champion Jeremy Martin, who makes his return to racing and joins Deegan as a teammate at Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing. The 250 field is stacked with talent, including last year’s runner-up and fellow 250SX champion Tom Vialle. Other contenders to watch include National winners Chance Hymas, Levi Kitchen, Ty Masterpool, and Jo Shimoda.
Adding to the international flair, Max Anstie of Great Britain and Denmark’s Mikkel Haarup bring world-class experience to the class. Rising stars like reigning Rookie of the Year Julien Beaumer and the ever-improving Seth Hammaker are also poised to make their presence known throughout the summer.
The Pro Motocross Championship will consist of 11 rounds, culminating in an action-packed outdoor season that showcases the world’s best motocross talent. Fans can catch the first NBC Network broadcast of the championship on Saturday, June 7, from Colorado’s iconic Thunder Valley Motocross Park.
With so much talent on the gate and storylines brimming with intrigue, the 2025 Pro Motocross Championship is primed to deliver a season to remember. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer to the sport, there’s never been a better time to tune in and witness motocross at its finest.