‘Landmark moment’ as Supercars confirms 14-round calendar for 2027 with huge Phillip Island return

Supercars has officially locked in a 14-round championship calendar for its 30th anniversary season in 2027, headlined by the return of Phillip Island after an eight-year absence and the introduction of a historic night race in Darwin.

The announcement follows the finalisation of negotiations surrounding the Teams Racing Charter, which settled on two distinct financial arrangements: seven squads accepted an equity bonus model, whilst the remaining five outfits chose higher annual baseline payments.

High-speed drama returns to the Island

The major highlight of the 2027 schedule is the revival of the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, which last featured on the Supercars calendar in 2019. Rather than serving as a standard mid-season sprint, the iconic Victorian venue has been thrust straight into the championship climax as the penultimate event and the second leg of the Finals Series.

Former champion and broadcast commentator Mark Skaife told Fox Sports that swapping Sandown out of the finals running in favour of Phillip Island provides a compelling test of driver commitment.

“I’ve always said it’s the best permanent racetrack in Australia. It’s so fast and flowing and European,” Skaife said. “Bringing it back in the position of a final will play into the year in terms of jeopardy and consequences and all the things that we love in terms of storytelling of the season.”

Sprint Cup deciders and Endurance shuffles

Sandown retains a pivotal role in the championship narrative despite ceding its finals slot. The Melbourne venue will stage the decider for the Sprint Cup in late August. While discussions took place regarding the potential addition of Sandown as a third endurance fixture, that proposal did not proceed, leaving The Bend to launch the Enduro Cup in mid-September.

Queensland Raceway has dropped off the schedule entirely just two years after its return, whilst Wanneroo Raceway will host its farewell Supercars event in August before the Western Australian round transitions to a street circuit in Perth.

For fans following the narrative arc of the 2027 season, the championship battle progresses through distinct competitive phases:

1. Open the campaign at Sydney Motorsport Park under lights on the final weekend of February, followed by sprint rounds across Tasmania and Albert Park.
2. Cross the Tasman for back-to-back New Zealand events at Christchurch and Taupo across consecutive weekends in May.
3. Tackle mid-year winter fixtures across the inaugural Darwin night race, Townsville, and the Wanneroo farewell in Western Australia.
4. Conclude the Sprint Cup at Sandown before launching the Enduro Cup at The Bend in September and tackling Mount Panorama.
5. Navigate the high-stakes three-event Finals Series, taking in the Gold Coast street circuit, the knockout round at Phillip Island, and the Adelaide Grand Final.

Season rhythm and milestone celebrations

The 2027 campaign commences under lights at Sydney Motorsport Park on 26–28 February, scheduled with a one-week buffer following the Bathurst 12 Hour. Symmons Plains follows in mid-March, with the Australian Grand Prix support races at Albert Park sliding into early April as Round 3.

Supercars interim CEO Barclay Nettlefold highlighted the balanced tempo of the 14-round slate as the category marks three decades of competition.

“The return of Phillip Island as part of the Finals will resonate with our most loyal fans, while new elements like night racing in Darwin and the revamped Adelaide street circuit continue driving the sport to new heights,” Nettlefold said.

A critical observation regarding the schedule is the series of extensive gaps between mid-season events, including five-week breaks around the New Zealand tour and the Darwin night round. While these pauses demand patience from touring crews and supporters, category officials believe the cadence maintains anticipation through to the Adelaide season finale in late November.