The Victoria government has decided to end its association with the MotoGP Australian Grand Prix, after declining to approve relocating the event from Phillip Island to Albert Park. This decision opens the door for South Australia to take over hosting duties starting in 2027, marking a major shift for the race that has been held on Phillip Island since 1997.
Ongoing Talks and the Albert Park Proposal
Speculation about the MotoGP’s departure from Phillip Island began immediately after the 2025 race, with negotiations continuing into this year. Officials involved in the series proposed moving the event to Albert Park, the site of Melbourne‘s Formula 1 Grand Prix, but Victorian authorities rejected the move. Instead, the Victorian government pledged additional funding to enhance the MotoGP event only if it remained at Phillip Island.
The government’s stance was clear:
“but only on the condition that the event remains at Phillip Island”
.
South Australia’s Efforts to Secure the Grand Prix
South Australia is now set to officially announce it will host the MotoGP from 2027, capitalizing on Victoria’s refusal to relocate. The Bend Motorsport Park, located slightly over an hour from Adelaide, is the favored venue to assume the race. However, if series officials opt for the city’s parklands street circuit instead, it would face similar safety upgrade challenges as Melbourne’s Albert Park, particularly concerning motorbike racing.
SA Premier’s Perspective on Hosting Major Events
Premier Peter Malinauskas of South Australia has openly expressed his ambition to draw more high-profile sporting events to his state. Despite the approaching announcement, he remained cautious about the details earlier in the week:
“not going to start playing speculative games”
and
“We’re not interested in a bidding contest,”
he added, continuing,
“We always look at opportunities and we form a view about what something is worth but I’m not getting into a bidding contest.”
Malinauskas has a track record of delivering major events to SA, including securing the AFL’s Gather Round—when all 18 clubs compete across the state—and hosting the LIV Golf Australian tournament for the past four years.
Impact of the MotoGP Move on Victoria and Phillip Island
Victoria’s loss of the MotoGP represents a major setback for Phillip Island and its tourism industry. The event attracted 91,000 spectators last year and was estimated to generate over $54 million annually for the state’s economy. With Supercars racing also not returning post-COVID, MotoGP’s exit leaves Phillip Island without a marquee motorsport event.
