Sports · Motorsport · 1 hr ago
Weather cancels final MotoGP races at Phillip Island; Sunday fans offered refunds
Organisers cancelled all Sunday MotoGP races at Phillip Island in Australia after rain and poor visibility made racing unsafe.
The medical helicopter could not operate safely, and organisers said racing could not go ahead without it.
Sunday ticket holders are due full refunds, while multi-day ticket holders will receive partial refunds.
The cancellation also ended the circuit’s run on the MotoGP calendar, which began in 1997.
From 2027, the Australian Grand Prix will move to a city-centre circuit in Adelaide under a six-year arrangement.
Marc Márquez therefore keeps a 10-point championship lead over injured Jorge Martin, who was unable to race.
The next round is in Malaysia next week, but it is not yet clear whether Martin will be fit to ride.
Poor visibility and rain forced the cancellation of all Sunday track activities at the 2026 Australian MotoGP at Phillip Island.
Organisers said the medical helicopter could not operate safely, so racing could not go ahead.
Sunday ticket holders will receive full refunds, while multi-day ticket holders will receive partial refunds.
The cancellation prevented Marc Márquez from extending his championship lead over injured Jorge Martin.
The race moves from Phillip Island to Adelaide in 2027, ending its run at the circuit since 1997.
- Who
- Organisers cancelled Sunday’s MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 races. Sunday ticket holders are being offered refunds.
- What
- Poor visibility and rain led to the cancellation of all Sunday on-track activities at the Australian Grand Prix.
- When
- Sunday, 25 October 2026.
- Where
- Phillip Island, Australia.
- Why
- Conditions made racing unsafe, and poor visibility prevented the medical helicopter from operating safely.
MotoGP Sports Entertainment
Victoria state government
Aspect
MotoGP Sports Entertainment
Wanted to move the race to Melbourne’s Albert Park.
Victoria state government
Insisted the race should remain at Phillip Island.
Aspect
MotoGP Sports Entertainment
Negotiations over the venue broke down, and the race was secured for Adelaide from 2027.
Victoria state government
South Australia secured the race for Adelaide for six years from 2027.
Jorge Martin fractured his forearm in a sprint crash, and Marc Márquez won the Sprint.
Delays of several hours were followed by the cancellation of all on-track activities because of poor visibility and rain.
The 18 MotoGP riders completed a ceremonial lap behind the safety car.
The Australian MotoGP is due to move to Adelaide for six years.
- Sunday racing
- MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 races cancelled
- Refunds
- Full for Sunday tickets; partial for multi-day tickets
- Saturday attendance
- 45,858
- Championship gap
- Márquez leads Martin by 10 points
- Phillip Island
- Hosted the race since 1997
- Adelaide
- Set to host the race from 2027
3 sources
What people are saying
Safety must always come first, and racing cannot take place without the medical helicopter able to operate.
We are working with our ticketing partners to facilitate the process for full refunds for Sunday ticketholders and partial refunds for multi-day ticketholders.
Limited visibility has resulted in the cancellation of the Australian MotoGP.