MotoGP™ Grand Prix of Australia 2026: The Complete Event Guide
Published on September 02, 2026
The countdown is on for the MotoGP™ Grand Prix of Australia 2026. Returning to the Phillip Island Circuit from Friday 23 to Sunday 25 October 2026. Whether you're locking in your Australian MotoGP tickets for the first time or you're a Phillip Island regular, this guide covers the full race schedule, the entertainment line-up, where to watch from trackside, and everything you need to be ready for the event. With official Australian MotoGP packages and Australian MotoGP accommodation disappearing fast, there's not a lot of time left to plan.
Quick Facts: MotoGP™ Grand Prix of Australia 2026
| Dates | Friday 23 – Sunday 25 October 2026 |
| Location | Phillip Island Circuit, Victoria |
| Classes racing | MotoGP™, Moto2™, Moto3™, ASBK (Australian Superbike Championship) |
| Saturday headliner | Jimmy Barnes: live performance |
| Sunday headliner | Jet: post-race performance |
| Ticket types | Island Pass, Grandstand, Hospitality, Campgrounds, Paddock Pass |
| Package availability | Updated 9/9/26 - Packages now sold out. |
Event Breakdown: What Happens Each Day
New to MotoGP™? Here's the shape of the event weekend at a glance:
Friday — Free Practice for MotoGP™, Moto2™ and Moto3™. Teams dial in their set-ups for the first time on the Phillip Island Circuit.
Saturday — Final practice, Qualifying across all three classes, and the MotoGP™ Sprint race (13 laps) — followed by the Jimmy Barnes concert.
Sunday — Warm Up, then race day: Moto3™ (21 laps), Moto2™ (23 laps) and the MotoGP™ Grand Prix (27 laps) — capped off with a live set from Jet.
Full Schedule: Friday 23 October 2026
| Time (Track Time) | Session | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 AM – 9:35 AM | Moto3™ Free Practice Nr. 1 | |
| 9:50 AM – 10:30 AM | Moto2™ Free Practice Nr. 1 | |
| 10:45 AM – 11:30 AM | MotoGP™ Free Practice Nr. 1 | Riders hit the Phillip Island Circuit for the first time, getting a feel for the conditions of the track. |
| 1:15 PM – 1:50 PM | Moto3™ Practice | |
| 2:05 PM – 2:45 PM | Moto2™ Practice | |
| 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM | MotoGP™ Practice | An essential session for riders battling for a guaranteed Q2 spot, setting up their Sprint and Race. |
| TBC | ASBK (Australian Superbike Championship) | The Australian Superbike Championship races for points at the MotoGP™ Grand Prix of Australia. |
Full Schedule: Saturday 24 October 2026
| Time (Track Time) | Session | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|
| 8:40 AM – 9:10 AM | Moto3™ Free Practice Nr. 2 | |
| 9:25 AM – 9:55 AM | Moto2™ Free Practice Nr. 2 | |
| 10:10 AM – 10:40 AM | MotoGP™ Free Practice Nr. 2 | An opportunity to test race pace and confirm set-ups. |
| 10:50 AM – 11:05 AM | MotoGP™ Qualifying Nr. 1 | Riders who didn't automatically qualify for Q2 battle it out, hoping to finish first or second for a Q2 start. |
| 11:15 AM – 11:30 AM | MotoGP™ Qualifying Nr. 2 | The top 12 fastest riders fight for the best grid position for the Sprint and Feature Race. |
| 12:45 PM – 1:00 PM | Moto3™ Qualifying Nr. 1 | |
| 1:10 PM – 1:25 PM | Moto3™ Qualifying Nr. 2 | |
| 1:40 PM – 1:55 PM | Moto2™ Qualifying Nr. 1 | |
| 2:05 PM – 2:20 PM | Moto2™ Qualifying Nr. 2 | |
| 3:00 PM | MotoGP™ Sprint (13 Laps) | A 13-lap shootout with crucial championship points on the line. |
| TBC | ASBK | Racing for points at the Grand Prix of Australia. |
| TBC (evening) | Jimmy Barnes Live Performance | Two-time ARIA Hall of Fame inductee 'Barnesy' takes to the stage with a performance spanning four decades of iconic music. |
Full Schedule: Sunday 25 October 2026 — Race Day
| Time (Track Time) | Session | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 10:40 AM – 10:50 AM | MotoGP™ Warm Up | The final chance for riders to feel out Circuit conditions before the main race. |
| 11:00 AM | Moto3™ Race (21 Laps) | Often the most thrilling and competitive race of the weekend. Moto3™ is famous for its overtakes and last-lap thrillers. |
| 12:15 PM | Moto2™ Race (23 Laps) | The intermediate class battles it out across 23 laps, all riding race-tuned Triumph 765cc Triple engines. |
| 2:00 PM | MotoGP™ Grand Prix (27 Laps) | The main race has arrived, with the riders all battling to finish on the top step of the podium at the best circuit in the world. |
| TBC | ASBK | Racing for points at the MotoGP™ Grand Prix of Australia. |
| Post-race | Jet Live Performance | Melbourne-formed rockers Jet close out race day with a hit-filled set from their Rumblin' Regional Revue Tour. |
Note: all times shown are Track Time. ASBK timing remains TBC. Times may change on race day.
Entertainment Line-Up: The Off-Track Highlights
Saturday: Jimmy Barnes
Working Class Man meets world-class racing. Two-time ARIA Hall of Fame inductee Jimmy Barnes headlines Saturday evening, closing out the Sprint race day with a set spanning more than four decades of his catalogue, including Working Class Man and Flame Trees. It's his first appearance at the MotoGP™ Grand Prix of Australia in over three decades, and it's included in the price of Saturday Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix tickets. Catch-a-Coach departure times are being extended on Saturday night to help fans make the most of the show.
Sunday: Jet
As the final bike crosses the line on race day, Melbourne rockers Jet take the stage for a post-race performance on Sunday 25 October. More than two decades after their multi-platinum debut album Get Born, Jet bring their unmistakable anthems, including Are You Gonna Be My Girl and Look What You've Done, to close out the MotoGP™ Grand Prix of Australia 2026 weekend.
Best Viewing Spots for Island Pass Holders
If you're holding an Island Pass, here's where fans consistently rate the atmosphere and the view:
| Location | Why fans love it |
|---|---|
| Turn 1 — Doohan Corner | Named after Mick Doohan. Watch bikes charge down Gardner Straight and dive into the fast right-hander, up close, with food, drinks and merch just a short walk away. |
| Turn 6 — Siberia | A bit of a walk, but worth it. Island Pass holders can enjoy the grassy hillside nearby, a favourite with hardcore fans. |
| Turns 7 & 8 — Hayshed | A fast left-right combo on the back of the circuit where riders flick through at full throttle, ideal for high-speed action. |
| Turn 11 — Near Lukey Heights | Bikes plunge downhill after the blind rise at Lukey Heights into a fast right-hander, setting up the run onto Gardner Straight. |
| Gardner Straight | The fastest part of the circuit, right next to the main activations, bars, food and merch. |
Tip: bring a folding chair or stool for extra comfort at any of these spots.
Tickets & Packages: Updated 9/9/26 - Packages now sold out
If you're chasing Aus MotoGP 2026 tickets or full Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix travel options for the event, time is genuinely running out. Here's where things stand:
| Package type | Status |
|---|---|
| Phillip Island stay packages | Sold out |
| Frankston stay packages | Sold out |
| Melbourne package | Grandstand | Sold out |
| Melbourne package | Island Pass | Sold out |
| Melbourne package | Hospitality | Sold out. |
| Regional hotels (direct booking, non-package) | Virtually sold out |
| Direct event tickets | Almost gone |
With regional hotels virtually sold out and direct tickets almost gone, official travel packages from Australian Grand Prix Corporation Travel — via Melbourne CBD — are currently the most reliable way left to secure your Australian MotoGP 2026 tickets and guarantee your spot at the Island this October. These bundle your Island Pass, Grandstand or Hospitality tickets with accommodation and transfers, so you're not left scrambling closer to race week.
Frequently Asked Questions: MotoGP™ Grand Prix of Australia 2026
When is the MotoGP™ Grand Prix of Australia 2026?
The event runs from Friday 23 to Sunday 25 October 2026 at the Phillip Island Circuit in Victoria.
Where can I buy Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix 2026 ticket packages?
Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix 2026 ticket packages are now officially sold out.
What's included in an Island Pass for the MotoGP™ Grand Prix of Australia 2026?
An Island Pass automatically gets you general trackside access across the weekend, including the Saturday Jimmy Barnes performance and Sunday's Jet performance. An Island Pass Package also includes 3 or 4 nights accommodation (only Melbourne CBD accommodation remaining), return coach transfers from Southern Cross Station to the Phillip Island Circuit, plus experience a Scenic Helicopter Joyflight.
Is Australian MotoGP accommodation still available?
Phillip Island and Frankston accommodation packages are sold out, and regional hotels booked directly are virtually sold out too. Melbourne CBD accommodation packages, which include daily return coach transfers to the circuit, are the main option still available.
Who is performing at the MotoGP™ Grand Prix of Australia 2026?
Jimmy Barnes headlines Saturday evening following the Sprint race, and Jet performs a post-race set on Sunday after the Grand Prix race.
What races happen across the MotoGP™ Grand Prix of Australia 2026 weekend?
The weekend features MotoGP, Moto2, Moto3 and the Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK), with Free Practice and Qualifying on Friday and Saturday, the MotoGP Sprint (13 laps) on Saturday afternoon, and all three main-class races plus the MotoGP Grand Prix (27 laps) on Sunday.
Where's the best place to watch with an Island Pass?
Fan favourites include Doohan Corner (Turn 1), Siberia (Turn 6), Hayshed (Turns 7 & 8), the viewing area near Lukey Heights (Turn 11), and Gardner Straight for full-speed action right next to the main hub of food, drinks and activations.
How do I get to the Phillip Island Circuit for the event?
All AGPC Travel Packages include a Catch-a-Coach service to the track, meaning guests don't need to worry about driving or parking. On Saturday, Catch-a-Coach departure times are extended to accommodate the Jimmy Barnes performance.