Adelaide to host first-ever MotoGP street race

South Australia has snatched MotoGP from Victoria and will stage a historic race on the streets of Adelaide in 2027.

The Peter Malinauskas South Australian Government and MotoGP, now led by Liberty Media, have signed a six-year agreement to host the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix from 2027 onwards.

The Adelaide parklands track, using the same tarmac as Supercars and F1 will be the third home of the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix following Eastern Creek and Phillip Island.

Phillip Island has lost the race after the Victorian Government rejected MotoGP’s request to move the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix to Albert Park, and now Adelaide has filled the championship’s hopes of a street race in a capital city.

It will be a historic first, being MotoGP’s first-ever street race, having raced all over the world since the modern era of motorcycle Grand Prix racing started in 2002 and the first for the premier class since 1982.

The race will be held in November 2027 with dates yet to be revealed.

Special layout for two wheels

The MotoGP version of the Adelaide street circuit. Image: Australian Motorcycle News

Whilst the new home of the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix will be held on a 4.195km circuit at Victoria Park, it is a significantly revised layout compared to the world-famous Supercars and F1 layouts.

Significant adjustments have been made to “ensure rider safety remains the number‑one priority” over an 18-turn track, which will reach speeds of more than 340km/h.

Only half of the pit straight is used before the Senna Chicane and Wakefield Street.

Instead of following the Supercars layout, it swings right and cuts through the parklands to East Terrace and run on the old F1 layout that is not used by Supercars from “Banana Bend” all the way down to what is currently known as “Turn 9.”

Instead of being a tight hairpin, a more open right-hander follows an esses section in an extended parklands section that runs past the heritage-listed horse racing grandstand.

The MotoGP circuit rejoins the Supercars layout halfway up the pit straight.

MotoGP a ‘major coup for SA’

SA Premier Peter Malinauskas at Adelaide last year. Picture: Kelly Barnes

The Adelaide Street Circuit has become world-renowned across its F1 era from 1985 to 1995 and Supercars since 1999.

Now after the SA Government has pulled the same trick as Victoria in 1996, MotoGP will now add some two-wheel history to the famous street circuit.

It means South Australia will be the place to be in November with the MotoGP expected to be held in November, just before the Supercars.

With the bp Adelaide Grand Final to be the Supercars season finale until at least 2034 under a new deal, the eyes of the motorsport world will be on the South Australian capital.

It is the state’s latest boost, with the Adelaide Test match locked in December, with LIV Golf in February and AFL Gatheround in April.

MotoGP will utilise the same parklands area as the Supercars. Photo by Dirk Klynsmith/Sutton Images

The man behind bringing Supercars back to Adelaide and now MotoGP is Malinauskas and he is thrilled.

“This is a major coup for South Australia and yet more evidence our state has real momentum,” a delighted 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.”

“Full confidence” in track safety

Jack Miller at Phillip Island last year. Image: Goose Photography/Getty Images

MotoGP Chief Sporting Officer, Carlos Ezpeleta, has given riders and fans his “full confidence” in the safety of the Adelaide street circuit.

The last time a 500cc/MotoGP Grand Prix was held on a street or road course was 1982, when the Imatra Circuit hosted the Finnish Grand Prix.

But due to a lack of rider safety, the premier class of motorcycle racing has exclusively raced on dedicated race tracks across the last 45 years.

While Adelaide will buck that trend, Ezpeleta has expressed his “full confidence” riders will be safe.

“Bringing MotoGP to Adelaide marks a major milestone in the evolution of our championship,” he 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.”

Malinauskas backed this up, stating safety is the “first priority.”

“The Adelaide Street Circuit will be designed from the ground up to meet Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme’s (FIM) rigorous safety standards, ensuring that rider protection is never compromised – even in a city‑centre environment,” he said.

Main image: Peter Norton

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