On Thursday, the South Australian government and MotoGP Sports Entertainment unveiled plans for the street circuit, making it official that Adelaide will replace Phillip Island as the host of the Australian Grand Prix in 2027.
The event, held in Adelaide, was led by South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas and Carlos Ezpeleta, CEO of MotoGP Sports Entertainment, promoter of the championship and one of the company’s most senior executives following its recent acquisition by Liberty Media.
The announcement came just a day after it was confirmed that this year’s Australian Grand Prix, scheduled for mid-October at Phillip Island, will be the last to take place at the iconic circuit overlooking the Tasman Sea.
In recent months, the Victorian government has entered into negotiations with the championship organisers, who have proposed moving the race to Melbourne’s Albert Park circuit, home of the F1 race. However, the Jacinta Allan-led administration never seriously considered this option, paving the way for Adelaide to apply.
Thus, starting from 2027, the capital of South Australia will add another important international event to its annual calendar, alongside LIV Golf. The city will also return to host a Grand Prix event, this time motorcycling, at a circuit that previously hosted F1 races for over a decade, from 1985 to 1995.
The proposed track measures 4.195km in length and features 18 corners, with the MotoGP prototypes expected to reach a top speed of around 340km/h. Located south-east of the city center and stretching across Victoria Park, the Adelaide circuit will become the first fully urban track to host a MotoGP race.
Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team during the 2025 Australian GP
Foto di: Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images
The initial design, unveiled this week, incorporates several sections of the previous track design, including the main ‘Brabham’ straight. However, various segments have been reworked to suit the needs of motorcycle racing, eliminating incompatible features such as the right-angle bends linking Wakefield and Flinders streets.
A 20-month preparation period now begins, during which the local promoter will oversee the works necessary to make the circuit ready for its debut in November 2027.
“This is a great achievement for South Australia and further evidence of the strong momentum our state is gaining. We can now compete with the rest of the country for the best events in the world, and we are winning,” Malinauskas said.
“Hosting the world’s first MotoGP race on a fully street circuit will provide Adelaide with a unique opportunity, which will no doubt attract visitors from out of state and overseas,” added the Labor leader, who estimates that MotoGP could generate an annual economic impact of around €130 million for the region.
“This is about much more than a world-class event – it’s about stimulating our state’s economic activity, supporting jobs and positioning South Australia on the global stage.”
Ezpeleta added: “Bringing MotoGP to Adelaide marks an important milestone in the evolution of our championship. This city has a world-class reputation for staging major events and the opportunity to develop a purpose-built circuit in the heart of the city is something truly unique in our sport.”
“From the beginning we made sure that safety was the top priority. Every element of the circuit was designed to meet the highest standards of modern MotoGP.”
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
– The Motorsport.com team
