Phillip Island stays open for racing after MotoGP and WorldSBK exit
Phillip Island will lose MotoGP and World Superbike, but the Victorian circuit is set to host Supercars from 2027, according to Motorsport.com.
According to Motorsport.com, the Phillip Island circuit in Victoria will remain in use even though it is losing both MotoGP and the World Superbike Championship in the coming months.
The outlet reports that the venue will become a major fixture on the Supercars calendar from 2027, giving the track a large domestic series to host in place of the two world championships.
MotoGP is preparing to say goodbye next weekend, when the Australian Grand Prix will be run at the circuit for the final time. Motorsport.com describes the track as one of the series' most iconic venues and one of the most popular with fans.
The report's summary is cut off before it goes into fuller detail about the circuit's history with the championship, so the specifics available so far are limited to the departures and the Supercars move.
Further details about the reasons behind the departures, and about the terms of the Supercars arrangement, are not yet clear from the available coverage.
Background
Phillip Island sits off the southern coast of Victoria, a short drive from Melbourne. It is a purpose-built circuit with a flowing layout, long fast sections and a reputation for wind and sharp elevation changes that riders and drivers often describe as demanding. Its coastal setting and the nearby penguin parade have made it a popular destination for visitors as well as fans of the sport.
Motorcycle road racing has a long history at the site. For many years it was one of the most reliable stops on the Australian calendar, and it became a regular part of the world championship schedule, drawing large crowds and loyal followers. Riders frequently cite the track as a favorite because it rewards precision and bravery through its high-speed corners.
Supercars is Australia's leading touring car championship, built around powerful V8-engined cars. Its events have typically run on a mix of street and permanent circuits across the country, and host venues often sit at the center of local motorsport culture. Adding a series of that scale to an existing circuit is a common way for tracks to keep their calendars full after a major tenant leaves.
Shifts like this are not unusual. Global championships have been reshaping their calendars, with some long-running venues falling away while others are added. Circuit operators often rely on a combination of national series, club events and track days to cover running costs. For a venue of Phillip Island's profile, the challenge is retaining the identity that made it famous while adapting to new commercial and logistical demands.
Why it matters
For Australian motorcycle fans, the change marks the end of an era on the world stage. Phillip Island has been a fixed point for many riders and spectators, and losing MotoGP and World Superbike removes one of the country's most visible international events. Many fans will feel the absence keenly, especially those who have built their race weekends around the circuit for years.
For the venue itself, the Supercars move offers stability. A circuit with a dependable domestic series can plan its year more easily, sell tickets to a known audience and justify ongoing investment. That matters for the facilities, safety work and local tourism that surround the track.
The story also reflects a broader question for motorsport. World championships are expensive to host, and calendars change as promoters, teams and manufacturers weigh costs against returns. How a track responds to losing a headline event can shape whether it thrives or slowly fades.
For motorcycle culture more broadly, the news is a reminder that the places where racing happens are part of its identity. Circuits carry memories, rivalries and local pride, and their future affects how the next generation of riders and fans experiences the sport.
What to watch
The most immediate focus is next weekend's Australian Grand Prix, which will mark the final MotoGP visit to the circuit. Attendance, the atmosphere on track and any farewell moments for riders and fans will likely shape how the event is remembered.
Beyond that, watch for the official details of the Supercars arrangement, including the event dates, format and how the circuit plans to adapt its facilities for a different type of racing. Clarity on the timing of the World Superbike departure will also help fans plan their own calendars.
Longer term, pay attention to whether the circuit announces additional events, whether other series follow, and how the venue positions itself to attract visitors who came for motorcycle racing.
Viewpoints
Commentary from our columns: three angles on this story.
The Paddock the racing angle
Phillip Island has always felt like a track built for racing rather than for show. That is why the news of its exit from the MotoGP calendar lands so hard for anyone who has watched a race there from the fence line. The circuit asks riders to commit through fast, flowing sections, and it rewards the kind of corner-by-corner confidence that makes a championship feel real.
Next weekend will be a farewell, but the paddock should also treat it as a benchmark. Teams will be measuring what they have learned from the track's sweeping layout and how it challenged bikes and riders alike. Those lessons do not disappear when a championship packs up and moves on.
The Supercars arrangement offers the venue a new chapter. Four-wheel racing on a circuit known for two-wheel heroics will be a different spectacle, but the track itself will still be one of the most demanding in the country. For the local racing community, that continuity matters.
The Rider the everyday rider's view
If you have ever ridden the roads near Phillip Island, you know how much the place means to the local motorcycle community. The circuit is a destination, not just a venue. Friends who never bought a race ticket still make the trip to ride the surrounding roads and feel the coastal wind.
For everyday riders, a circuit losing its headline event can feel like losing a clubhouse. Group rides, track days and the simple act of gathering in the same place all depend on tracks staying open and welcoming. The good news is that Phillip Island is staying in use, and that keeps those opportunities alive.
I hope the next chapter includes room for riders of every level. A venue that once hosted the biggest names can still be a place where a weekend rider learns something new. That is what keeps two-wheel culture healthy.
The Long View history and context
Phillip Island has been part of motorcycle racing's story for decades, and its exit from the world championship calendar is another turn in a long history of venues rising and falling in prominence. Circuits have always come and gone from the top tier, and the sport has repeatedly reinvented itself around new locations and new fans.
What makes this moment notable is that the track is not disappearing. It is shifting its role, moving from a stage for world champions to a fixture of a major domestic series. That is a pattern motorsport has seen before, and it often works best when the venue keeps its character while finding a new purpose.
Looking back, the greatest tracks are remembered not just for the races they hosted but for the way they shaped riders and fans. The farewell next weekend will add a new chapter to that memory, and the years ahead will show what the circuit becomes.