The annual Australian stop of MotoGP, the highest level of global motorcycle racing, will move from Victoria’s Phillip Island to the streets of Adelaide in 2027.
The move comes after the Victorian Government refused a request by race organisers to move the event from Phillip Island, where the race has been held 29 times, to Albert Park in inner city Melbourne – the same location as the Formula 1 Grand Prix.
The state government unsuccessfully offered MotoGP organisers money to retain and grow the event on Phillip Island.
“The private foreign owners of the MotoGP demanded we move the event to the city, and we said no,” said Victoria’s tourism, sport and major events minister, Steve Dimopoulos.
“We know we could have kept the MotoGP in Victoria if we sold out Philip Island, but we never will.”
The move to Adelaide will see the race be held on a city-centre track for the first time, following the Adelaide Street Circuit course used by the F1 before the race moved to Melbourne.
The inaugural MotoGP event in Adelaide will take place in November 2027, with Phillip Island hosting its last race this October.
“Bringing MotoGP to Adelaide marks a major milestone in the evolution of our championship,” said MotoGP chief sporting officer, Carlos Ezpeleta.
“This city has a world‑class reputation for hosting major sporting events, and the opportunity to design a purpose‑built circuit in the city streets is something truly unique in our sport.
“From the very beginning, together with the FIM [Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme, the global governing body for motorcycle racing], we made sure that safety remained uncompromised – every element of the Adelaide Street Circuit has been engineered to meet the highest standards of modern MotoGP, ensuring riders can race at full intensity with complete confidence.”
Motorcyclists will get up to speeds of 340km per hour on Adelaide’s streets during the race.
“Adelaide’s commitment to major events makes it the perfect home for MotoGP’s next chapter in Australia,” said Ezpeleta.
“We’re incredibly excited to showcase a new style of racing here and to create a true celebration of our sport that brings fans even closer to the action.
“This partnership represents bold ambition from both MotoGP and Australia – and we couldn’t be prouder to begin this journey together.”
South Australia’s premier, Peter Malinauskas, said securing the event was “a major coup” for the state, and evidence that South Australia “has real momentum”.
“We are now competing with the rest of the nation for the world’s best events – and winning,” said Malinauskas.
“Hosting the world’s first MotoGP race on a street circuit will give Adelaide a truly unique offering that is sure to attract visitors from interstate and overseas.
“This is about so much more than a world‑class motorsport event – it’s about generating economic activity for our state, supporting jobs and putting South Australia on the global stage.
“We back major events that deliver a strong economic return, and MotoGP does exactly that.
“MotoGP is growing globally at record pace – and Adelaide will now be a key part of that growth story.”
The race is set to be held in Adelaide for six years – up until 2032.
Business Events Adelaide’s CEO, Damien Kitto, has previously told micenet that Adelaide’s major events calendar has a positive effect on the city’s business events prospects, raising the profile of the city and enticing more visitors to understand Adelaide’s potential first hand.
