Adelaide is set to make its return to the MotoGP calendar in 2027, with South Australia Premier Peter Malinauskas unveiling the layout of a new street circuit backed by a A$96 million investment.
The bespoke venue is expected to be completed around November 2027 ahead of its planned inaugural MotoGP event, bringing premier-class motorcycle racing back to Adelaide for the first time in decades.
The circuit will be built on land that previously hosted Formula 1 until 1995, combining elements of the historic venue with a modern layout designed specifically for MotoGP.
Measuring 4.13 kilometres and featuring 15 corners, the new circuit will incorporate reworked versions of several familiar sections, including Stag Corner, Rundle Road and Brewery Bend.
Source: Supercars
Early simulations suggest the track could produce some seriously fast racing. MotoGP bikes are projected to reach a top speed of around 343km/h, while lap times are expected to be in the region of 1 minute 26 seconds.
However, the project has also attracted criticism, particularly over its environmental impact.
Construction will require the removal of 42 trees classified as significant, along with another 335 trees listed as regulated, unregulated, invasive, dead or in poor condition. A further 88 trees are set to be relocated, while another 22 remain under assessment.
Malinauskas said around 95% of the 8,895 trees within the circuit precinct will remain untouched.
The South Australian government has also committed A$15 million to an environmental package aimed at restoring habitats, improving green spaces and supporting the Torrens River environment.
As part of the plan, the government has pledged to plant 10 new trees for every tree removed, which would result in approximately 3,770 new trees being planted.
The environmental measures have been developed in consultation with the Conservation Council as authorities look to balance the return of major international motorsport with concerns over the impact on Adelaide’s landscape.
With the new circuit now taking shape, Adelaide is preparing for a major new chapter in its motorsport history. The 2027 MotoGP event promises high-speed racing in an urban setting, while the project will also face continued scrutiny over how it manages its environmental commitments.
