A return to the US? Insider speaks of big plans for the Superbike World Championship

There are currently ten manufacturers competing in the Superbike and Supersport World Championships combined: Honda, Kawasaki and Yamaha from Japan, QJ Motor and ZX Moto from China, and Bimota, BMW, Ducati, MV Agusta and Triumph from Europe. KTM could become the eleventh brand to join in 2027. If we include the Sportbike World Championship, there are actually 13 manufacturers represented in the SBK paddock, as Aprilia, Kove and Suzuki are also competing there.

And everyone agrees: alongside races in the major growth markets in Asia, an SBK event in the USA would be particularly desirable. BMW Managing Director Markus Flasch spoke for many of his colleagues when he told SPEEDWEEK.com: “As a global manufacturer, we are naturally interested in competing in a global series. In reality, the WSBK has now become a European championship. What Dorna decides and what it makes of the series is not my responsibility. Nor do I believe that Dorna will significantly change its strategy just because we get on board in one country. It’s down to whoever organises the series to want it.”

A question of budget

However, it is not quite as simple as the demand sounds for SBK Executive Director Gregorio Lavilla. The current contracts with TV broadcasters and sponsors stipulate twelve events; the calculations and budgets were drawn up on that basis. If a 13th round were to be added, the promoter Liberty (formerly Dorna) would not receive any additional funding from its partners; such a race would have to be financially self-sustaining in any case. This is difficult, however, for overseas races, as Liberty’s costs for these are three times higher than in Europe.

90 per cent of the venues for the 2027 SBK World Championship have been confirmed, as eleven of this year’s twelve organisers hold a valid contract.

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As far as Hungary is concerned, however, there is a great deal of uncertainty. The Balaton Park Circuit is privately owned, but previous events have been subsidised with public funds. It is doubtful whether this will continue to be the case following the change of government in May 2026 and with the new national promoter, Hungaroring.

Without Hungary and Jerez, there would be room for overseas races

If Hungary is dropped from the calendar and the expiring contract with Jerez in southern Spain is not renewed, Liberty would have two free slots that could be filled with events in Asia (most likely Malaysia) and the USA.

Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama – a two-hour drive west of Atlanta – has long shown interest in the Superbike World Championship, but the Americans have not yet taken the final step towards signing a contract. Now, SPEEDWEEK.com has learnt from an insider at the circuit: “We have big plans.” There is talk of a five-year contract, with the debut set to take place as part of the Vintage Festival in early October 2027. This would allow two major events with different fan bases to be combined, whilst SBK would avoid clashing with the US MotoAmerica championship.

The 2027 season is set to kick off on the weekend of 19–21 February at Phillip Island in Australia. Over the years, the season has usually opened there on the last weekend in February. However, as the major Avalon Air Show is taking place on the other side of Melbourne Bay during that week in 2027, the SBK event has been brought forward by one week.

This will be – at least for the time being – the last time the Superbike World Championship visits the picturesque island, home to one of the world’s most spectacular race tracks. MotoGP will take place in Adelaide from next year, whilst SBK will move to The Bend – an hour’s drive south-east of Adelaide – from 2028.