Phillip Island loses MotoGP to Adelaide, gains Supercars deal to offset economic impact

Consensus Summary

Phillip Island is set to host its final MotoGP race from October 23 to 25, ending a 34-year streak (since 1989, with a break in the 1990s) as the event relocates to Adelaide from 2027. The move follows the Victorian government’s rejection of a proposal to shift the race to Melbourne’s Albert Park, allowing South Australia to secure a six-year deal. Both ABC and 7NEWS confirm the loss will cost the island’s economy more than $80 million annually, a significant blow to its tourism-dependent businesses. To offset the financial hit, the Victorian government has struck a five-year deal with Supercars, bringing the championship back to Phillip Island for the first time since 2019, with the inaugural event scheduled for 2027.

The decision to relocate MotoGP stems from a broader shift in Victoria’s motorsport strategy, with the government prioritizing Albert Park for other high-profile events. The loss of both MotoGP and World Superbikes—whose final Phillip Island event is also in 2027—has left the island’s business community anxious, as these races historically drew over 150,000 attendees and injected critical revenue. The Supercars return is seen as a partial solution, though officials acknowledge it won’t fully replicate the economic impact of the motorcycle events. Destination Phillip Island has highlighted the need for new tourism initiatives, including festivals and motorsport events, to diversify the region’s appeal beyond racing weekends.

Key figures in the story include Victorian Major Events Minister Anthony Carbines, who announced the Supercars deal, and opposition spokesperson David Southwick, who pledged $100,000 to fund a Festival of Motoring if his party wins November’s state election. Local business operators, such as those at the San Remo Fisherman’s Co-Op, have expressed emotional and financial strain, with some recalling the MotoGP’s transformative effect on tourism. ABC quotes Bass Coast Shire Mayor Brett Tessari, who described the final race as ‘surreal and quite sad,’ while 7NEWS highlights racing legend Garth Tander’s nostalgia for the track, where he won his maiden Supercars round in 2007. Both outlets emphasize the cultural significance of the events to the island’s identity.

While ABC and 7NEWS largely agree on the core details, discrepancies emerge in framing the Supercars deal’s duration and the fate of World Superbikes. ABC states the World Superbikes event will occur in 2027, whereas 7NEWS claims the series moves to The Bend in 2028, suggesting no 2027 event. Additionally, 7NEWS notes the Supercars grand final will remain in Adelaide, a detail ABC does not explicitly address. These differences reflect varying emphases: ABC focuses on the economic transition and local sentiment, while 7NEWS underscores the broader motorsport realignment and Adelaide’s role in hosting the relocated events.

Uncertainty remains about whether the Supercars event will sustain Phillip Island’s economy long-term, with ABC reporting that the island’s tourism sector accounts for almost 4 per cent of local jobs. Both outlets agree that new initiatives, such as the Festival of Motoring and potential government funding, will be critical to the island’s recovery. The November state election could further shape the region’s future, as political parties vie to support tourism development. Meanwhile, the community prepares for the MotoGP’s final chapter, balancing grief for its loss with cautious optimism about the Supercars return and other emerging opportunities.