South Australia has secured another major motorsport event, winning the rights to host an annual round of the FIM Superbike World Championship at Shell V-Power Motorsport Park at The Bend on a multi-year deal from 2028, relocating the Australian round from Victoria.
The announcement was made today by Dr Sam Shahin, managing director of Shell V-Power Motorsport Park, who said securing WorldSBK locks in the long-term future of one of the world’s premier motorcycle racing championships for South Australia.
He described the deal as a milestone in a vision that began when The Bend opened in 2018, and said the championship would bring the top motorcycle manufacturers, teams and riders to the state.
The inaugural Australian Round at The Bend is expected to land in February 2028 and attract thousands of interstate and international visitors.
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said the deal further strengthens the state’s position as Australia’s motorsport capital and will deliver significant economic, tourism and profile benefits, particularly across the regions.
He pointed to a portfolio that already includes MotoGP, the Adelaide 500 and the AirTouch 500 Enduro, and said the addition of WorldSBK reinforces the state’s commitment to keeping motorsport at home.
WorldSBK sporting director Gregorio Lavilla said the move to The Bend represented an exciting new chapter for the championship. He said Australia has always held a special place within WorldSBK and remains an important market for the series, its manufacturers, teams and fans, and that the venue’s facilities and commitment to motorsport made it an outstanding platform for the championship from 2028.
The deal marks a significant shift for the Australian Round, which has been a fixture at Phillip Island in Victoria. WorldSBK is the world’s premier production-based championship, raced on heavily modified versions of the Yamaha, Ducati, Honda, BMW and Kawasaki superbikes sold in showrooms, with bikes reaching speeds approaching 340km/h.
Further details will be released over the coming months. Fans can register their interest at thebend.com.au to be first to hear about event and ticketing information for the first Australian Round at The Bend in February 2028.
Editorial Director at infomoto.com.au. Loves Rally bikes.
