{"id":4118,"date":"2026-10-17T18:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-17T21:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/?p=4118"},"modified":"2026-10-17T09:43:48","modified_gmt":"2026-10-17T12:43:48","slug":"phillip-island-loses-motogp-but-secures-supercars-return-in-major-five-year-deal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/supercars\/phillip-island-loses-motogp-but-secures-supercars-return-in-major-five-year-deal\/","title":{"rendered":"Phillip Island loses MotoGP but secures Supercars return in major five-year deal"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">News Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Phillip Island will host Supercars from 2027 to 2031<\/strong> under a five-year agreement with the Victorian Government.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The circuit will stage a <strong>Supercars Finals Series round<\/strong>, reviving the Phillip Island 500 name.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The announcement comes just days before <strong>Phillip Island&#8217;s final Australian MotoGP<\/strong>, with the motorcycle Grand Prix moving to Adelaide in 2027.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Phillip Island has secured a five-year agreement to return to the Supercars Championship from 2027<\/strong>, providing the famous Australian circuit with a major new event as it prepares to lose the MotoGP Australian Grand Prix to Adelaide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The agreement, announced by the Victorian Government and Supercars on Friday, October 16, guarantees a championship Finals Series round at Phillip Island from <strong>2027 through 2031<\/strong>, ending an eight-year absence from Australia&#8217;s premier touring-car championship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The event will revive the <strong>Phillip Island 500<\/strong> name, although the precise race format and date remain to be announced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The timing is particularly significant. Phillip Island will host its final MotoGP Australian Grand Prix on October 23\u201325, bringing an end to the circuit&#8217;s long association with motorcycle Grand Prix racing before the event relocates to a new street circuit in Adelaide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Supercars returns to Phillip Island after eight years<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Phillip Island last hosted Supercars in 2019, when the championship&#8217;s Gen2 machinery was still in use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Its return will coincide with the <strong>30th anniversary of the modern Supercars Championship<\/strong> in 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Supercars executive chairman and acting CEO Barclay Nettlefold welcomed the agreement, describing Phillip Island as one of the category&#8217;s most important historic venues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The agreement is particularly important because Phillip Island will not simply host another regular championship round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Instead, it will form part of the <strong>Supercars Finals Series<\/strong>, placing the circuit directly in the battle to decide the championship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, the exact 2027 Finals format has not yet been confirmed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">MotoGP departure creates major economic challenge<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The return of Supercars follows a difficult period for Phillip Island and the surrounding Bass Coast region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">MotoGP confirmed earlier this year that the Australian Grand Prix would move to Adelaide from 2027, ending Phillip Island&#8217;s role as the country&#8217;s premier motorcycle racing venue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The decision followed unsuccessful negotiations over the event&#8217;s future in Victoria, including a proposal to move the Grand Prix to Melbourne&#8217;s Albert Park circuit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The loss was particularly concerning for local businesses that depend on motorsport tourism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The region also faces the departure of the World Superbike Championship after 2027, increasing the importance of securing replacement events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Victorian Government has therefore moved to establish a new programme of motorsport activities, with Supercars becoming its most significant confirmed addition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Major Events Minister <strong>Anthony Carbines<\/strong> welcomed the agreement, emphasising the benefits for local businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Supercars are coming back to Phillip Island, and so are the crowds and the customers for local businesses,&#8221; Carbines said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The government has also confirmed the inaugural Phillip Island Festival of Motoring for <strong>March 12\u201314, 2027<\/strong>, complementing the circuit&#8217;s existing historic motorsport events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Supercars Finals could bring championship-deciding drama<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The return of Phillip Island to the Supercars calendar offers an important sporting opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The circuit&#8217;s fast, flowing layout differs significantly from the street circuits and shorter venues that feature prominently in the championship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Its long corners, high average speeds and exposure to changing coastal weather conditions place particular demands on tyres, aerodynamics and vehicle balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The current Gen3 regulations, introduced in 2023, have also changed the cars considerably since Supercars last visited Phillip Island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The championship now features Ford Mustangs and Chevrolet Camaros, with Toyota GR Supras joining the field in 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The return will therefore provide the first opportunity to evaluate the modern Gen3 machinery at Phillip Island in a championship event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Phillip Island 500 name also reconnects the venue with an important part of Australian motorsport history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The original Phillip Island 500, held in the early 1960s, helped establish the endurance-racing tradition that eventually evolved into the Bathurst 1000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Supercars later revived the name for endurance events at the circuit, making its return in 2027 particularly appropriate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Australian Grand Prix Corporation to promote the event<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The new Supercars round will be promoted by the <strong>Australian Grand Prix Corporation<\/strong>, which also organises Formula 1&#8217;s Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Chief executive Travis Auld welcomed the opportunity to bring another major motorsport event to Victoria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Auld described Phillip Island as one of Australia&#8217;s most recognisable racing venues and emphasised the organisation&#8217;s experience in delivering international motorsport events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The involvement of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation provides additional operational support for the returning event, including promotion, commercial partnerships and event management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, local tourism representatives have warned that Supercars alone will not fully replace the economic contribution previously generated by MotoGP and World Superbikes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Destination Phillip Island chief executive Kim Storey welcomed the agreement as an important step towards rebuilding the region&#8217;s major-event calendar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Supercars represents meaningful progress towards rebuilding major event visitation,&#8221; Storey said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She added that further work would be required to support the wider economic transition facing Phillip Island and San Remo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When will Supercars return to Phillip Island?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first event under the new agreement will take place during the <strong>2027 Supercars Championship<\/strong>, with the circuit guaranteed a Finals Series round through 2031.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The precise date has not yet been announced. Supercars will confirm the full calendar and race format separately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The championship&#8217;s next event is the <strong>Gold Coast 500 on October 23\u201325, 2026<\/strong>, while Phillip Island prepares for its final MotoGP Australian Grand Prix on the same weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>GRANDE PR\u00caMIO<\/strong> will continue following developments in Australian motorsport and the future of Phillip Island through its <a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/motogp\/\">MotoGP coverage<\/a> and international racing news.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Phillip Island will return to the Supercars calendar for the first time since 2019, hosting a championship Finals round from 2027 as Victoria attempts to replace some of the economic activity lost with MotoGP&#8217;s move to Adelaide.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1001024743,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"42wp_featured_image_caption":"Phillip Island","42wp_featured_image_credits":"Rob Gray\/ Polarity Photo","42wp_featured_video":"","42wp_ai_content_disclaimer":"","42wp_is_ai_content":false,"42wp_featured_image_hidden":false,"42wp_authors_list":[{"id":55,"location":""}],"footnotes":"","42wp_breaking_news":false},"categories":[863],"tags":[186,32,672,864],"42wp_author":[55],"class_list":["post-4118","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-supercars","tag-australian-gp","tag-motogp","tag-phillip-island","tag-supercars","42wp_author-caio-cavalcante"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4118","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4118"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4118\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4119,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4118\/revisions\/4119"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1001024743"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4118"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4118"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4118"},{"taxonomy":"42wp_author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/42wp_author?post=4118"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}