Marco Bezzecchi
MotoGP has confirmed that Phillip Island will stage the Australian Grand Prix for the final time in 2026, with the race set to move to a street track in Adelaide from 2027.
Phillip Island has been the exclusive home of the Australian GP since 1997, when the 500cc world championship moved the round from Eastern Creek near Sydney. The circuit situated 140kms south of Melbourne has even proven to be a favourite among riders and fans alike.
But despite the adoration that many hold for Phillip Island, MotoGP confirmed this Thursday that the track will not be signing a new contract and the Australian GP will instead move to a city centre track in Adelaide from 2027. MotoGP has agreed to a six-year deal with Adelaide.
Many MotoGP fans believe leaving Phillip Island is a “horrible” mistake, but the decision has now been made to move the race to Adelaide in 2027. And the changes may not stop there, as FOX Sports Australia reports that the Australian GP might even now become a night race.
Adelaide is open to making the Australian Grand Prix a night race to suit European MotoGP fans. A mistake or genius?
Adelaide believes making the Australian GP a night race would better suit European MotoGP fans
FOX Sports Australia reports that a prominent figure with knowledge about the negotiations between MotoGP and the Government of South Australia has claimed that talks are ongoing over the feasibility of the Australian GP being a night race to better suit European audiences.
READ MORE: All to know about the MotoGP Australian Grand Prix, including past winners
The State Government has so far ‘not ruled out’ pushing MotoGP to allow Adelaide to stage the Australian GP at night, as it believes the event can become ‘even bigger’ than the race is at Phillip Island. But the time of day that the race would have to be run is currently an issue.
To make the Australian GP a night race upon it relocating to Adelaide, the State Government believes it would have to hold the race at a late hour due to the race being scheduled during daylight savings (which lasts from the first Sunday in October until the first Sunday in April).
The 2026 Australian GP and Phillip Island’s farewell is due to start at 03:00 in the UK
The 2026 Australian GP, which will now be Phillip Island’s last time on the MotoGP calendar, is scheduled to start at 14:00 local time. For all MotoGP fans based in the UK, the start time for the 2026 Australian GP means the race begins at 03:00, while the Sprint begins at 05:00.
Formula 1 has scheduled its 2026 Australian GP held at Albert Park in Melbourne to start at 15:00 local time, which also means a start time for UK-based fans of 04:00. But F1 has thus far elected against making its Australian GP, which will begin F1’s 2026 season, a night race.
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