MotoGP set for first ever street race as Grand Prix Australia moves from Phillip Island to Adelaide in 'major milestone' for the sport
Published 20/02/2026 at 10:38 GMT
MotoGP has announced that the Grand Prix Australia will move to a city centre circuit in Adelaide as part of a 'major milestone' for the sport. The decision marks the first time that a MotoGP event will be held on city streets, rather than a track. The Grand Prix Australia has been held at the iconic Phillip Island for 29 years, but that partnership will come to an end next season.
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MotoGP will move from the track to the streets for the first time after it was revealed that the 2027 Grand Prix Australia will be held on a city centre circuit in Adelaide.
MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group, the South Australian Government, and the City of Adelaide announced that the event will be held on the Adelaide Street Circuit.
The move brings the event's 29-year relationship with Australia's traditional home of MotoGP, Phillip Island, to a halt until 2032 at the earliest.
Carlos Ezpeleta, MotoGP Chief Sporting Officer, believes that the decision to hold an event in a city centre location for the first time is a significant milestone in the development of the sport.
"Bringing MotoGP to Adelaide marks a major milestone in the evolution of our championship," he said.
"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, 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.
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"Adelaide’s commitment to major events makes it the perfect home for MotoGP’s next chapter in Australia.
"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."
The six-year residency at the Adelaide Street Circuit will get underway from next season.
The 4.195 km-long route through the city centre was also revealed on Thursday, and features 18 corners.
The Premier of South Australia, Peter Malinauskas, believes that the event represents a "major coup" for the region.
"This is a major coup for South Australia and yet more evidence our state has real momentum," he added. "We are now competing with the rest of the nation for the world’s best events - and winning.
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"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."
Phillip Island is just off Australia's southern coast, near the city of Melbourne in the state of Victoria.
The decision to move the 2027 Grand Prix Australia to Adelaide came just two days after Premier Jacinta Allan's Labor Government revealed that they had rejected a request from Dorna Sports, who oversee MotoGP, to hold the event at Albert Park.
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Albert Park is a suburb of Melbourne that is best known for being the traditional home of Formula 1's Australian Grand Prix.
Casey Stoner is the most successful MotoGP rider in the history of the current venue, with six Grand Prix Australia titles at Phillip Island.
Aprilia's Raul Fernandez came out on top at the event last time out.
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