Supercars targeting expanded 2026 schedule
Supercars is targeting its biggest championship season in nearly a decade, complementing the debut of Toyota and the introduction of a second round in New Zealand.
Seasons jumped from 10 to 13 rounds when Bathurst was added to the championship in 1999. Between 2007 and 2019, at least 14 rounds were held, before COVID-19 impacted subsequent seasons.
The 2025 season will host 13 rounds, with the new Ruapuna round set to facilitate a 14th event, rather than replace an existing event. It is also set to include the Formula 1 round in Melbourne, with the 2026 Australian Grand Prix locked in for March 6-8.
It comes amid next phase of commercial growth, amid the highly-anticipated debut of the new Toyota GR Supra and the first year of a new broadcast rights deal.
"I think for us, [expansion is] actually that next phase of commercial growth,” incoming Supercars CEO James Warburton said in a broadcast Q&A.
"I think for us, [expansion is] actually that next phase of commercial growth,” incoming Supercars CEO James Warburton said in a broadcast Q&A.
“Putting all that together and extending the experiences for our fans, we can really start to focus on that.
“We've probably been very focused on the motorsport product and bringing the motorsport product together. Now, we can look at how we can expand.
The new-for-2026 New Zealand double-header is set to see the new season expand to 14 rounds, which will be the most since 2019. Warburton reiterated that expansion remains a discussion with the teams, and is no certainty.
The new-for-2026 New Zealand double-header is set to see the new season expand to 14 rounds, which will be the most since 2019. Warburton reiterated that expansion remains a discussion with the teams, and is no certainty.
Speaking to media in Perth, he added: “The team has done a good job of securing most event extensions.
“One of my first discussions with the teams around, ‘it’s not 12, it’s not 10, it’s not 15 or 16… 14 should be our calendar every year’, and then we need to discuss how we all make that happen, which we’re well and truly doing.
“14 is probably more around the right cadence in terms of having enough racing and having enough events to keep engagement through the year, and obviously the delineation of Sprint Cup, Enduros and Finals I think will help that quite dramatically.”
The 2025 season will resume in Darwin on June 20-22. Tickets are on sale now.
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