News Summary

Phillip Island has secured a five-year agreement to return to the Supercars Championship from 2027, providing the famous Australian circuit with a major new event as it prepares to lose the MotoGP Australian Grand Prix to Adelaide.

The agreement, announced by the Victorian Government and Supercars on Friday, October 16, guarantees a championship Finals Series round at Phillip Island from 2027 through 2031, ending an eight-year absence from Australia’s premier touring-car championship.

The event will revive the Phillip Island 500 name, although the precise race format and date remain to be announced.

The timing is particularly significant. Phillip Island will host its final MotoGP Australian Grand Prix on October 23–25, bringing an end to the circuit’s long association with motorcycle Grand Prix racing before the event relocates to a new street circuit in Adelaide.

Supercars returns to Phillip Island after eight years

Phillip Island last hosted Supercars in 2019, when the championship’s Gen2 machinery was still in use.

The circuit has a long history in Australian touring-car racing, having hosted championship events under several formats, including endurance races, season openers and season finales.

Its return will coincide with the 30th anniversary of the modern Supercars Championship in 2027.

Supercars executive chairman and acting CEO Barclay Nettlefold welcomed the agreement, describing Phillip Island as one of the category’s most important historic venues.

Nettlefold said the circuit had produced memorable races throughout its history and that the championship was looking forward to establishing a new chapter at the venue.

The agreement is particularly important because Phillip Island will not simply host another regular championship round.

Instead, it will form part of the Supercars Finals Series, placing the circuit directly in the battle to decide the championship.

Under the current Finals structure, Phillip Island is expected to host an elimination round that reduces the number of championship contenders before the final event in Adelaide.

However, the exact 2027 Finals format has not yet been confirmed.

MotoGP departure creates major economic challenge

The return of Supercars follows a difficult period for Phillip Island and the surrounding Bass Coast region.

MotoGP confirmed earlier this year that the Australian Grand Prix would move to Adelaide from 2027, ending Phillip Island’s role as the country’s premier motorcycle racing venue.

The decision followed unsuccessful negotiations over the event’s future in Victoria, including a proposal to move the Grand Prix to Melbourne’s Albert Park circuit.

The loss was particularly concerning for local businesses that depend on motorsport tourism.

Destination Phillip Island estimates that major motorcycle racing events contribute substantial economic activity to the region, supporting accommodation providers, restaurants, retailers and other tourism businesses.

The region also faces the departure of the World Superbike Championship after 2027, increasing the importance of securing replacement events.

The Victorian Government has therefore moved to establish a new programme of motorsport activities, with Supercars becoming its most significant confirmed addition.

Major Events Minister Anthony Carbines welcomed the agreement, emphasising the benefits for local businesses.

“Supercars are coming back to Phillip Island, and so are the crowds and the customers for local businesses,” Carbines said.

The government has also confirmed the inaugural Phillip Island Festival of Motoring for March 12–14, 2027, complementing the circuit’s existing historic motorsport events.

Supercars Finals could bring championship-deciding drama

The return of Phillip Island to the Supercars calendar offers an important sporting opportunity.

The circuit’s fast, flowing layout differs significantly from the street circuits and shorter venues that feature prominently in the championship.

Its long corners, high average speeds and exposure to changing coastal weather conditions place particular demands on tyres, aerodynamics and vehicle balance.

The current Gen3 regulations, introduced in 2023, have also changed the cars considerably since Supercars last visited Phillip Island.

The championship now features Ford Mustangs and Chevrolet Camaros, with Toyota GR Supras joining the field in 2026.

The return will therefore provide the first opportunity to evaluate the modern Gen3 machinery at Phillip Island in a championship event.

The Phillip Island 500 name also reconnects the venue with an important part of Australian motorsport history.

The original Phillip Island 500, held in the early 1960s, helped establish the endurance-racing tradition that eventually evolved into the Bathurst 1000.

Supercars later revived the name for endurance events at the circuit, making its return in 2027 particularly appropriate.

Australian Grand Prix Corporation to promote the event

The new Supercars round will be promoted by the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, which also organises Formula 1’s Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park.

Chief executive Travis Auld welcomed the opportunity to bring another major motorsport event to Victoria.

Auld described Phillip Island as one of Australia’s most recognisable racing venues and emphasised the organisation’s experience in delivering international motorsport events.

The involvement of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation provides additional operational support for the returning event, including promotion, commercial partnerships and event management.

However, local tourism representatives have warned that Supercars alone will not fully replace the economic contribution previously generated by MotoGP and World Superbikes.

Destination Phillip Island chief executive Kim Storey welcomed the agreement as an important step towards rebuilding the region’s major-event calendar.

“Supercars represents meaningful progress towards rebuilding major event visitation,” Storey said.

She added that further work would be required to support the wider economic transition facing Phillip Island and San Remo.

When will Supercars return to Phillip Island?

The first event under the new agreement will take place during the 2027 Supercars Championship, with the circuit guaranteed a Finals Series round through 2031.

The precise date has not yet been announced. Supercars will confirm the full calendar and race format separately.

The championship’s next event is the Gold Coast 500 on October 23–25, 2026, while Phillip Island prepares for its final MotoGP Australian Grand Prix on the same weekend.

GRANDE PRÊMIO will continue following developments in Australian motorsport and the future of Phillip Island through its MotoGP coverage and international racing news.