After nearly 30 years of hosting the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, Victoria has lost the prestigious Phillip Island MotoGP event. The race, a signature feature at the Phillip Island circuit, will be relocated to South Australia beginning next year. This decision marks the end of a significant chapter for the Victorian government and motorsport enthusiasts who supported the event’s long-standing presence in the region.
Contract Talks Fail to Keep Race in Phillip Island
The event’s future came under threat after extended negotiations between the Australian Grand Prix Corporation and Dorna Sports, the global rights holder for MotoGP. The talks aimed to extend the contract for continued hosting at Phillip Island but ended without an agreement. Steve Dimopoulos, Victoria’s Minister for Sport and Major Events, confirmed that the race scheduled for October this year will be the last held at the iconic Phillip Island circuit.
He expressed disappointment over Dorna Sports’ insistence on relocating the Grand Prix to a venue closer to a major urban centre, highlighting that Victoria was not prepared to compromise the event’s established identity or impose on the Albert Park community, home also to the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix.
“We could have kept it in Victoria, if we sold out Phillip Island,”
Dimopoulos said.
“We were never willing to sell out Phillip Island, or impose further on the Albert Park community, or to compromise the F1 [race]. All those things we were not willing to agree to. We agreed to every other request for the extension of the contract, but not moving it from Phillip Island.”
“We are the major events capital, not just in this country but globally, so I wish the Moto GP all the best with their second choice.”
Victoria’s Offer and Organisers’ Requirements
The Victorian government went beyond typical contractual requests, offering increased funding for marketing and fan engagement to boost attendance and visibility at Phillip Island. Last year’s race attracted 91,000 spectators—the highest in over a decade—demonstrating the event’s strong local support and potential for further growth.
“We met the licence fee. We met everything else. In fact, we went way beyond it because we offered to uplift the marketing and the fan experience, to really grow the event on the back of the fact that there was 91,000 people there last year; the best in 13 years.”
“They were accepting of all that, but their final demand was you must move the event into the city.”
The government’s condition for additional funding was clear: the race must stay at Phillip Island. Ultimately, Dorna Sports pushed for relocating the Grand Prix to the Melbourne area, which Victoria refused. This refusal precipitated the loss of the event to South Australia.
Impact on the Phillip Island Region
The decision has unsettled local communities and tourism stakeholders. The MotoGP generates substantial economic activity through hospitality, retail, and employment around the region. Jeff Webb, chair of Destination Phillip Island regional tourism, described the relocation as a major setback for the local economy and international profile.
“It’s a significant blow to tourism for the region and will have a huge impact on hospitality, retail and local employment,”
Webb said.
“It also reduces international exposure for Victoria. We’ve been working for six months with the government and council and stakeholders to maintain the event, which contributes significantly to local economy.”
“Our focus now is on identifying tourist initiatives to hopefully fill the loss.”
Challenges of Moving to Albert Park
Dorna Sports, recently acquired by Liberty Media—the owners of Formula 1—has shown a preference for street circuits and venues near major cities to increase accessibility and increase urban engagement with the sport. They had explored the option of relocating the Australian round to Albert Park, south-east Melbourne, which hosts the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix.
However, the technical requirements for MotoGP circuits differ significantly from those of Formula 1. Motorcycle racing demands larger run-off areas and safety features that would necessitate substantial modifications at Albert Park. These changes would likely involve costly expansions and environmental concerns, such as the removal of trees, sparking opposition among locals and complicating the venue’s suitability.
Historic Importance of Phillip Island in Motorcycle Racing
Phillip Island has been an iconic venue in motorcycle racing history, hosting memorable victories by Australian legends like Mick Doohan and Casey Stoner. The circuit’s unique coastal setting and technical layout have made it a favorite among riders and fans alike. Attendance figures have reflected its popularity, with last year’s event witnessing 93,000 fans—the largest crowd since 2012 and an increase of 10,000 from the previous year.
Final MotoGP at Phillip Island and the Farewell Event
The upcoming race weekend, scheduled from Friday, October 23 to Sunday, October 25, 2026, will mark the 30th and final MotoGP event at Phillip Island under the current 10-year contract. The government and organisers are preparing to host a significant send-off to celebrate three decades of the event’s legacy in Victoria.
“This October will be the 30th year, and we will do the best send-off,”
Dimopoulos announced.
“It will be a humungous event. Last year the crowd was 91,000, we’ll hope to clock over 100,000 people in this one as it will be a send-off, effectively.”
Broader Implications and What Lies Ahead
The Phillip Island MotoGP loss represents a considerable shift in Australia’s motorsport landscape, impacting Victoria’s reputation as a premier events destination. While South Australia prepares to take over hosting duties, the move raises questions about how regional economies and fan communities associated with Phillip Island will adapt. Victorian officials now face the challenge of developing alternative tourist and economic initiatives to mitigate the event’s departure.
Given the high interest generated by the 30th and final Phillip Island race, the event is expected to draw even larger crowds, providing a fitting conclusion to the circuit’s celebrated MotoGP tenure. The relocation also reflects emerging trends in motorsport towards urban street circuits and greater centralization around populous cities, influenced by commercial and logistical priorities of event owners like Liberty Media.
