Major change coming for Australian Superbike Championship
The mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship, presented by Motul (ASBK), is about to undergo what’s arguably the biggest change in the sport for decades. A shortened 2026 calendar will pave the way for the switch to a summer series in 2026-27 that’ll become the norm for the championship going forward.
The switch essentially reverses the current championship schedule that (usually) runs from February to October. For 2026, the ASBK Championship starts at the normal time, supporting the Superbike World Championship at Phillip Island in late February, but will end in June after only five rounds.
After an extended break, an all-new seven-round summer series will get underway in October, 2026, running through to April, 2027 (subject to change).
Photo: Russell Colvin
According to Motorcycling Australia (MA) and ASBK Management, moving the championship to summer will bring multiple benefits. These include the likelihood of more fans during better weather, reduced competition from AFL, NRL and four-wheel motorsport events that run over the winter months, and the opportunity for overseas riders to race here during the northern hemisphere off-season.
“We now have the support of the manufacturers, industry and our partners [for a summer series],” said MA CEO Peter Doyle. “With the ASBK Championship in a strong position, now looks to be the best time.
“ASBK racing in the summer months aims to bring more fans trackside, enjoying sunny weather and great racing – and with more eyes watching our TV broadcasts without competition from football codes and other sports.
“It also opens the opportunity for international riders to join ASBK in their off-season. It’s an exciting time for ASBK as we take these new steps.”
Photo: Russell Colvin
Other changes coming into effect for 2026 will be an all-new Teams Championship in the Superbike and Supersport classes. MA says this will acknowledge the hard work and competitive spirit of teams in the paddock.
There will also be a change to ASBK trophy presentation procedures next season. The ‘overall’ podium presentation for each round will be dropped, focussing on just the top three finishers in each race.
The five-round 2026 championship will consist of eleven races, with doubles at all rounds bar the WorldSBK support event at Phillip Island, where three races will be held.
While yet to be confirmed, the race weekend schedule for the new summer series is also expected to consist of two races per category, per round.
Photo: Russell Colvin
At time of writing, both the 2026 ASBK championship calendar and all-new summer series for 2026-2027 were provisional, but the 2026 calendar is expected to be confirmed soon. Round info and dates provided by MA are as follows:
2026 ASBK PROVISIONAL CALENDAR
• Rd1: 20-22 February, Phillip Island, VIC (WorldSBK)
• Rd2: 27-28 March, Sydney Motorsport Park, NSW
• Rd3: 1-3 May, The Bend, SA
• Rd4: 29-31 May, Morgan Park, QLD
• Rd5: 26-28 June, Queensland Raceway, QLD
2027 ASBK PROVISIONAL CALENDAR*
• Rd1: October 2026, location TBA
• Rd2: November 2026, The Bend, SA
• Rd3: December 2026, One Raceway, NSW
• Rd4: January 2027, location TBA
• Rd5: February 2027, Phillip Island, VIC (WorldSBK)
• Rd6: March 2027, Queensland Raceway, QLD
• Rd7: April 2027, The Bend, SA
*subject to confirmation.
