Phillip Island community 'in mourning' after MotoGP moves to Adelaide
Updated . First published at
Local business owners on Victoria's Phillip Island have been left devastated by the news the MotoGP will move from its long-time home next year.
Residents of the island are now "in mourning" following the announcement the three-day event will take place on a street circuit in Adelaide from 2027.
Many are grappling over how the tourist spot will cope with the expected sharp drop in annual visitors.
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The MotoGP has been ripped away from Phillip Island. 9News
"We are currently a community in mourning," Bass Coast Mayor Rochelle Halstead said.
"We've had figures of $55 to 100 million economic benefit that this event brings to our local community.
"It's a big loss for us, but it's a huge loss for Victoria as well."
The MotoGP brought 91,245 visitors to Phillip Island in 2025, an increase of over 11,000 attendees from the year prior.
Phillip Island restauranteur Rosa Scarloto's Italian bistro Pino's Trattoria doubles as a shrine to the grand prix every year.
She told 9News there are "no words" to describe the bitter blow she and other business owners have been dealt.
"I had no sleep last night – I did cry a little bit," Scarloto said.
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Phillip Island restauranteur Rosa Scarloto. 9News
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"It's gonna be harder to say goodbye. I mean very, very, very hard."
The MotoGP has roared around the Phillip Island circuit for more than 30 years.
But it is not the first time the event has been taken away from the famous island community.
The race spent six years during the 1990s in Sydney and locals fought to bring it back to Victoria.
They vow to do it again once Adelaide's six-year contract is up.
The Victorian government reportedly offered additional funding to keep the round of MotoGP on Phillip Island, but Adelaide secured a deal.
The Grand Prix will make its final laps on Phillip Island in October.
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