South Australia’s motorsport calendar is about to get even bigger, with the state securing the rights to host an annual round of the prestigious FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) from 2028.
The international championship will relocate from Victoria to Shell V-Power Motorsport Park at The Bend, where it will be held under a new multi-year agreement beginning in the championship’s 41st season.
WorldSBK sits at the very top of production motorcycle racing. Unlike MotoGP’s purpose-built prototypes, WorldSBK features highly modified versions of motorcycles you can actually buy from brands like Ducati, Yamaha, Honda, BMW and Kawasaki. These machines can reach speeds of almost 340km/h, making them faster than a Supercar and not far behind a Formula 1 car.
The first event at The Bend is expected to attract thousands of interstate and international visitors, delivering a significant boost to tourism, accommodation, hospitality and regional businesses across South Australia.
“Securing WorldSBK is a significant achievement for The Bend and today’s announcement marks a historic day for motorsport and for South Australia,” shared Managing Director of The Bend Dr Sam Shahin. “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. A decade on, we celebrate a major milestone; WorldSBK is coming. 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, our passionate motorsport community and our state to a global audience.”
Since opening in 2018, The Bend has evolved into one of the most advanced motorsport facilities in the world, featuring multiple circuit layouts, premium accommodation and extensive event infrastructure capable of hosting global racing categories.
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said, “With WorldSBK joining MotoGP, the Adelaide 500 and the AirTouch 500 Enduro, this announcement reinforces our commitment to motorsport and reflects our determination to ensure South Australia remains the home of motorsport in this country.
“It also provides a pathway for the next generation of riders, engineers, officials, volunteers and motorsport enthusiasts to engage with world-class competition right here at home.”
WorldSBK Sporting Director Gregorio Lavilla added, “We are delighted to announce The Bend as the future home of the Australian Round of the FIM Superbike World Championship. Australia has always held a special place within WorldSBK, and it remains an important market for our championship, manufacturers, teams and fans.
“The Bend is an impressive venue with exceptional facilities and a strong commitment to motorsport. We believe it provides an outstanding platform for WorldSBK and we are excited to begin this journey together from 2028.”
While the first race is still more than a year away, fans can already start getting excited. Further event and ticketing details will be released in the coming months, with the inaugural Australian round at The Bend scheduled for February 2028.
