South Australia Steals World Superbikes From Victoria!
South Australia has secured the long-term rights to host the Australian Round of the WorldSBK championship from 2028, poaching the global event from Victoria.
Harry Taruva 
Tailem Bend — South Australia has secured a major international sporting coup, finalising a lucrative multi-year agreement to become the new Australian home of the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) from 2028.
The global production-based motorcycle racing series will relocate from its long-term venue at Phillip Island in Victoria to the Shell V-Power Motorsport Park at The Bend.
The circuit will host the prestigious international fixture starting in February 2028, marking the championship's 41st season.
The acquisition is an expansion of South Australia’s major event portfolio under the current state administration, positioning the venue alongside other high-profile events such as MotoGP, the Adelaide 500, and the newly announced AirTouch 500 Enduro.
Dr. Sam Shahin, Managing Director of Shell V-Power Motorsport Park, stated that securing WorldSBK realises a long-term goal established when the Tailem Bend facility first opened in 2018.
"From the outset, our vision has been to create a proud facility capable of attracting the world's leading motorsport categories and hosting the highest levels of international competition," Dr. Shahin said.
"A decade on, we celebrate a major milestone. This championship is set to bring the top motorcycle manufacturers, teams and riders to South Australia, creating a powerful platform that will showcase our venue to a global audience," he said.
Unlike MotoGP, which features purpose-built prototype machinery, WorldSBK serves as the world's premier production-based series.
Elite riders compete using heavily modified versions of showroom superbikes from major global manufacturers, including Yamaha, Ducati, Honda, BMW and Kawasaki, reaching speeds approaching 340 km/h.
South Australian Premier, Peter Malinauskas, said the economic and tourism benefits of the multi-year deal would ripple heavily into the state's regional areas, drawing thousands of interstate and international visitors.
"South Australia has built one of the strongest motorsport portfolios in the country," Premier Malinauskas said.
"From the world-class facilities at The Bend to the Adelaide street circuit, we are attracting premier events, passionate fans and global attention.
"This announcement reinforces our commitment to motorsport and reflects our determination to ensure South Australia remains the home of motorsport in this country," he said.
WorldSBK Sporting Director, Gregorio Lavilla, welcomed the transition to the advanced South Australian facility, highlighting the country's strategic importance to the global championship.
"Australia has always held a special place within WorldSBK, and it remains an important market for our championship, manufacturers, teams and fans," Lavilla said.
"The Bend is an impressive venue with exceptional facilities... We believe it provides an outstanding platform for WorldSBK," he said.
Official grandstand and corporate ticketing registration has been launched via the circuit's digital platform ahead of the inaugural 2028 race weekend.
