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Marco Bezzecchi leads the field at Phillip Island in 2025.
Aussie Casey Stoner dominated at Phillip Island.
The MotoGP riders storm down into turn one at the picturesque Phillip Island.
Aussie fans show their support for Casey Stoner art Phillip Island.
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The Australian MotoGP round will move from the iconic Phillip Island circuit to a new ‘purpose-built’ street circuit in Adelaide next year.
A six-year agreement has been put into place between MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group (the new name for Dorna), the South Australian Government and the City of Adelaide, with the inaugural GP taking place next November.
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The layout of the new city centre, 4.195km long, circuit was revealed to local media in Adelaide on Thursday. It features 18 corners and follows the blueprint of the Adelaide Street Circuit that hosted Formula One between 1985 and 1995, but with ‘the significant adjustments required to ensure rider safety remaining the number-one priority’.
Of course, this means, amongst other things, ensuring there’s extensive run-off areas. Looking at the circuit designs, the track appears to be primarily set in a parkland setting.
“Bringing MotoGP to Adelaide marks a major milestone in the evolution of our championship,” MotoGP Chief Sporting Officer, Carlos Ezpeleta said. “This city has a world‑class reputation for hosting major sporting events, and the opportunity to design a purpose‑built circuit in the city streets is something truly unique in our sport.
“From the very beginning, together with the FIM, we made sure that safety remained uncompromised – every element of the Adelaide Street Circuit has been engineered to meet the highest standards of modern MotoGP, ensuring riders can race at full intensity with complete confidence.
“Adelaide’s commitment to major events makes it the perfect home for MotoGP’s next chapter in Australia. We’re incredibly excited to showcase a new style of racing here and to create a true celebration of our sport that brings fans even closer to the action.
“This partnership represents bold ambition from both MotoGP and Australia – and we couldn’t be prouder to begin this journey together.”
Phillip Island has hosted the Australian Grand Prix since 1997 and is highly-regarded by riders and fans as being one of the best, most entertaining, circuits on the calendar. The fast-flowing layout, plus the picturesque coastal views have seen Phillip Island become a staple of the championship.
However, it hasn’t been without its problems. The timing of the Australian Grand Prix has sometimes resulted in inclement weather conditions and high winds. It’s location – around a two-hour drive from Melbourne – also puts the circuit at a disadvantage.
South Australia is competing with the rest of the nation for the world’s best events – and winning.
This is the world’s first MotoGP race on a street circuit – and it’s happening at the original Adelaide Grand Prix Street Circuit.
MotoGP is growing globally at record pace.… pic.twitter.com/Gl1jsKhB4P
— Peter Malinauskas (@PMalinauskasMP) February 19, 2026
Initially, MotoGP pushed for the event to move the Melbourne’s city-centre Albert Park circuit, which has been a long-term regular on the Formula One calendar for several years.
This proposal was rejected, whilst the Victorian Government stated it would increase financial backing for the Grand Prix, but only if it remained at Phillip Island. The state has now lost its headline motorcycling event, with Phillip Island’s future currently unknown.
“This is a major coup for South Australia and yet more evidence our state has real momentum,” the Premier of South Australia, Peter Malinauskas, said. “We are now competing with the rest of the nation for the world’s best events – and winning. Hosting the world’s first MotoGP race on a street circuit will give Adelaide a truly unique offering that is sure to attract visitors from interstate and overseas.
“This is about so much more than a world‑class motorsport event – it’s about generating economic activity for our state, supporting jobs, and putting South Australia on the global stage.
“We back major events that deliver a strong economic return, and MotoGP does exactly that. MotoGP is growing globally at record pace – and Adelaide will now be a key part of that growth story.”
Phillip Island’s final MotoGP event will take place on October 23-25. The circuit hosts the opening round of the 2026 World Superbike season this weekend (February 20-22).