MotoGP set for first ever street race as Grand Prix Australia moves from Phillip Island to Adelaide in ‘major milestone’ for the sport
By Marko Tankosic
SME News Balkan. In a landmark decision that reshapes the future of motorcycle racing, MotoGP has confirmed that the 2027 Australian Grand Prix will be held on a brand-new city centre street circuit in Adelaide.
The move ends a historic 29-year partnership with Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit and marks the first time in MotoGP history that a race will be staged on public city streets rather than a permanent racing track.
Adelaide Street Circuit Confirmed as New Home
MotoGP’s commercial rights holder Dorna Sports, alongside the South Australian Government and the City of Adelaide, officially unveiled the Adelaide Street Circuit as the future host venue.
The new 4.195 km layout will feature 18 corners running through the heart of Adelaide’s city centre. The agreement secures a six-year residency beginning in 2027.
Carlos Ezpeleta, MotoGP’s Chief Sporting Officer, described the announcement as a “major milestone” in the sport’s evolution.
“Bringing MotoGP to Adelaide marks a major milestone in the evolution of our championship,” Ezpeleta said. “The opportunity to design a purpose-built circuit in city streets is something truly unique in our sport.”
End of an Era at Phillip Island
Since 1998, Phillip Island has been the spiritual home of the Australian round, producing some of the most iconic races in modern MotoGP history.
Australian legend Casey Stoner remains the most successful rider at the venue, winning six Australian Grands Prix there. Most recently, Raul Fernandez claimed victory at the circuit.
However, MotoGP confirmed that the long-standing relationship with Phillip Island will pause until at least 2032.
Political Backdrop and Strategic Shift
The Adelaide announcement comes just days after the Victorian government rejected a proposal from Dorna Sports to stage the event at Albert Park in Melbourne — a venue best known for hosting Formula 1’s Australian Grand Prix.
South Australia’s Premier Peter Malinauskas hailed the agreement as a “major coup,” emphasizing its economic and tourism potential.
With MotoGP experiencing rapid global growth, officials believe a city-centre event will attract new fans and significantly boost international visibility.
Safety and Innovation at the Core
Street circuits are common in Formula 1 but unprecedented in MotoGP. Ezpeleta stressed that safety standards remain uncompromised, with every section of the Adelaide layout engineered to meet modern MotoGP regulations.
The shift signals a bold strategic evolution for the championship, blending high-speed racing with the spectacle and accessibility of a downtown festival atmosphere.
A New Chapter for MotoGP in Australia
The 2027 Australian Grand Prix in Adelaide represents more than a venue change — it reflects MotoGP’s ambition to innovate, expand its global footprint, and deliver new experiences for fans.
As the championship transitions from the windswept coastal drama of Phillip Island to the urban intensity of Adelaide’s streets, the sport enters an entirely new era in Australia.
