Adelaide has celebrated a milestone moment in Australian motorsports, with the bp Adelaide Grand Final drawing a record Sunday crowd of 102,200 and delivering one of the most electrifying days the event has ever seen. The turnout eclipsed the AFL and NRL Grand Finals, showing Adelaide’s growing reputation as home to the nation’s premier motorsport finale, and people’s love of rock n’ roll and supercars.
Over the full event, 285,700 fans streamed through the gates (a jump from last year’s 259,400) contributing to a massive $72.6 million economic boost for South Australia. Between the action-packed Repco Supercars Championship decider and a headline concert by AC/DC, the atmosphere was nothing short of electric.
The biggest moment on track came as Chaz Mostert secured his first-ever championship title, raising the trophy before a sea of cheering fans. As the sun set, thousands stayed on for a high-voltage AC/DC performance featuring hits including TNT and For Those About to Rock, before a fireworks finale lit up the Adelaide skyline.
Just moments before the main race, Premier Peter Malinauskas and Supercars CEO James Warburton revealed an announcement that cemented the significance of the day, a newly signed contract ensuring Adelaide will host the season-ending Supercars event until at least 2034. The long-term agreement gives the state a decade more of world-class motorsport, tourism opportunities and economic lift.
Premier Peter Malinauskas said, “The new era of the bp Adelaide Grand Final was an astonishing success. More people witnessed the finale of the Adelaide Grand Final than either the AFL or NRL Grand Final.”
He also emphasised the impact of locking the event in for the long term, saying, “This long-term deal will deliver the security needed to continue to invest in and build this event, to continue to deliver significant economic returns.”
The combination of racing, music and major-event energy has helped elevate the Adelaide Grand Final into a true showcase for the state. With crowds swelling year on year and an expanded program drawing new audiences, the event’s economic and cultural influence continues to accelerate.
For local businesses, the uplift is immediate and measurable, with hotels, restaurants, transport operators and tourism providers benefiting from the influx of interstate and international visitors. For the community, it reinforces Adelaide as a destination city capable of hosting top-tier global events.
As South Australia prepares for another decade of hosting the season finale, the momentum generated this year sets a powerful benchmark. The bp Adelaide Grand Final has evolved into a defining annual moment for the state, uniting sport, entertainment, tourism and local pride on a spectacular scale.
With the 2034 commitment locked in, Adelaide is geared up for even bigger crowds, louder engines, and unforgettable entertainment in the years ahead.
