A gigantic city, a mega circuit: what awaits the Superbike World Championship in Shanghai

Regular readers of SPEEDWEEK.com have known for some time that the 2027 Superbike World Championship would be expanding to China. With the release of the calendar on Thursday morning, it became official, and the Shanghai International Circuit was confirmed as the expected venue.

The choice comes as no surprise, as the local organiser has experience with Formula 1 and also MotoGP, which held races at the Shanghai Circuit between 2005 and 2008. At that time, however, motorcycling was not yet popular in China, a situation that has since changed significantly. With Kove, QJ Motor and the new brand ZX Moto – which has enjoyed great success in the Supersport World Championship – there are already three Chinese manufacturers represented in the SBK paddock. CF Moto is working towards entering the top category in 2027. The best-known rider is Valentin Debise (ZX Moto), whose social media following now runs into the millions.

With its impressive infrastructure, the Shanghai International Circuit is one of China’s most significant race tracks and already holds the necessary FIM homologation. The circuit was built in the early 2000s and was designed by Hermann Tilke. The site was previously used for rice cultivation. Extensive measures were required to construct the 5.2 km-long track and the buildings due to the marshy ground.

Der Shanghai International Circuit

Foto: Gold & Goose

Incidentally, the layout is modelled on the Chinese character ‘Shang’, the first character in the city’s name, Shanghai. The circuit combines fast sections with technically demanding corners. Particularly distinctive are the two long, sweeping combinations of bends in the first section of the circuit, as well as the long back straight followed by a tight hairpin bend.

Topic of the week

Nicolo Bulega: Toprak’s successor will not fail in MotoGP

The Italian Nicolo Bulega is the first rider to have won the world title in both the Supersport and Superbike classes; from 2027, he will be racing in MotoGP. His performances this season are second to none.

Read More

TV Program

Live

Estoril: 1. Freies Training

FIM Superbike World Championship

09.10.2026 - 11:15

Der Shanghai International Circuit

Foto: Gold & Goose

With Shanghai, the Superbike World Championship makes its debut in one of the world’s largest cities. The city is a major hub for international business, industry, technology, trade and finance. Its port is one of the world’s most important container ports. At the same time, Shanghai embodies the fusion of Chinese history and modernity. Historic neighbourhoods and traditional architecture stand side by side with modern skyscrapers.

Shanghai is one of China’s largest cities; in terms of the urban area alone, with an estimated population of 20 million, it is in fact the largest. When the surrounding area is included, this figure is almost doubled.

Der Shanghai International Circuit

Foto: Gold & Goose