Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix to Relocate to Adelaide from 2027 After Phillip Island Negotiations Breakdown

The Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix will conclude its tenure at Phillip Island this year. The event is set to relocate to a new street circuit in Adelaide, South Australia, beginning in 2027. This decision follows a breakdown in contract renewal negotiations between the Victorian government and MotoGP rights holder Dorna Sports, primarily over the venue.

The move to Adelaide marks the first time a MotoGP event will be held on a street circuit anywhere in the world.

The Relocation Announcement

The South Australian government, represented by Premier Peter Malinauskas, officially announced the relocation of the Australian MotoGP to Adelaide starting in 2027. MotoGP Chief Sporting Officer Carlos Ezpeleta joined the announcement.

The event is scheduled to take place over three days in November 2027, utilizing Adelaide's former Grand Prix street circuit. Premier Malinauskas stated that the move is expected to draw global attention from over 600 million fans to Adelaide and South Australia.

Negotiations with Victoria

The Victorian government confirmed that the final Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip Island under the current 10-year contract is scheduled for October 23-25 this year. Negotiations for contract renewal between the Australian Grand Prix Corporation and Spain-based Dorna Sports reached an impasse, primarily over the event venue.

• Dorna's Position: A government source indicated that Dorna Sports demanded the event be moved to Albert Park in inner Melbourne for contract renewal. Dorna Sports has reportedly expressed interest in increasing street circuit races since its acquisition by Formula 1 owners Liberty Media.
• Victoria's Position: The Victorian government confirmed increasing its financial offer to retain the event at Phillip Island but declined the request to relocate it to Albert Park.

Victorian Minister for Sports and Events Steve Dimopoulos stated that the government would not compromise on the Phillip Island venue, despite meeting or exceeding other requests, including the license fee.

The government also cited concerns regarding the substantial upgrades required to host the event at Albert Park. Discussions between the South Australian government and Dorna representatives regarding a potential Adelaide street circuit event had reportedly occurred prior to the breakdown in Victorian negotiations.

Adelaide's New Street Circuit

The Adelaide street circuit will revive the full-length track previously used for Formula 1 from 1985 to 1995. This circuit is approximately 4.195 kilometers long with 18 turns.

It will require modifications to meet international safety standards for MotoGP, with expected top speeds reported to exceed 340 kilometers per hour. The event will precede the Adelaide Grand Final Supercars event to optimize circuit usage and minimize disruption.

MotoGP rider Jack Miller expressed excitement for the move to Adelaide and stated trust in the federation's safety calculations for the street track.

Economic Impact on Phillip Island

The MotoGP has been staged at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit since 1997, significantly contributing to both local and state economies.

Bass Coast Shire Mayor Rochelle Halstead stated the MotoGP generates nearly $100 million for the local economy and supports businesses and jobs in the Bass Coast region. Community members have launched petitions to advocate for the event's retention.

A 2023 economic impact report indicated the annual event contributed over $29 million to the state's economy and supported 284 full-time jobs.

Mayor Halstead expressed disappointment regarding the news.

The council expects the state government to commit funds to mitigate the economic impact, suggesting a need for a replacement event to fill the economic void.

Mary Aldred, the federal Liberal member for Monash, which includes Phillip Island, characterized the loss as detrimental and announced plans to explore federal support options.

Safety and Environmental Concerns in Adelaide

The relocation to a street circuit in Adelaide has raised several concerns, spanning safety, traffic, infrastructure, and environmental impact.

• Former MotoGP world champion Wayne Gardner stated a similar track would be "highly dangerous" for motorcycles without "major adjustments" to barriers, concrete walls, Armco fences, and trees.
• Freelance MotoGP journalist Simon Patterson identified "valid and justified concerns about safety," noting that "massive changes" would be required compared to Formula 1 or Supercars designs, particularly for extensive gravel and asphalt run-off areas needed for motorcycle crashes at high speeds.
• MotoGP Chief Sporting Officer Carlos Ezpeleta stated that the street circuit could be made safe through the installation of temporary gravel beds and barriers, similar to existing Supercar events.

RAA Senior Road Safety Manager Charles Mountain outlined several issues:

• The need for a specialized asphalt mix for motorcycle races.
• Potential dangers from road markings and pit covers.
• The importance of minimizing disruption during track upgrades and pre-race preparations.

The proposed track utilizes Rundle Road, where the O-Bahn busway tunnel is located. Mountain suggested the O-Bahn should ideally remain operational during the race to facilitate city access despite road closures. State Transport Minister Emily Bourke confirmed that potential traffic and public transport issues are being addressed.

The state government has indicated that approximately 45 trees would need removal for the new track. However, Adelaide Park Lands Association president Ben Ayris suggested this number could increase significantly, potentially reaching nearly 1,000, when factoring in other developments in the area. Ayris expressed concern over the proposed track layout and associated tree loss.

SA Greens leader Robert Sims criticized the planned tree removal and called for greater transparency regarding the event's costs and government priorities, citing issues in healthcare and homelessness.

Opposition leader Ashton Hurn echoed calls for balancing events with essential services.