Phillip Island owner denies iconic MotoGP circuit will become a golf course

Following fears that Phillip Island could be lost after MotoGP's departure in 2027, the owner of the iconic Australian circuit has moved to reassure fans that the track isn't about to disappear beneath fairways.

The speculation stemmed from an open letter written by circuit designer Bob Bernard, who expressed concern that losing both MotoGP and WorldSBK could ultimately put Phillip Island's future at risk. In the letter, Bernard said recent comments had suggested owner Lindsay Fox "may turn it into a golf course", warning that Australia risked losing one of motorcycle racing's most celebrated venues.

Those claims have now been firmly rejected.

In a statement provided to Australian media, Phillip Island's owner said there are no plans to redevelop the circuit into a golf course, adding that the venue will continue operating despite MotoGP's move to Adelaide from 2027.

The clarification follows Bernard's widely shared letter, in which the man responsible for designing the modern Phillip Island circuit questioned the decision to move the Australian Grand Prix to a new Adelaide street circuit.

Bernard argued that replacing a permanent circuit with a temporary street venue risked sacrificing one of the sport's most iconic homes, while also raising concerns over the environmental impact of the proposed Adelaide layout.

His comments struck a chord with many fans, particularly given Phillip Island's reputation among MotoGP riders as one of the standout circuits on the calendar. The Victorian venue has hosted every Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix since 1997 and remains one of the most exciting and picturesque tracks in world motorcycle racing. It’s not been without its issues, though, with inclement weather conditions frequently throwing the riders, teams and fans a curved ball. It’s also been criticised by some for its facilities, which can seem a little antiquated compared to MotoGP’s newer circuits.

However, while the championship's departure will undoubtedly leave a significant gap in Phillip Island's annual calendar, the latest statement makes it clear that the circuit itself is not facing closure.

That doesn't change the fact that MotoGP's move remains one of the biggest shake-ups to the championship in years. Earlier this season it was confirmed that the Australian Grand Prix will relocate to a new 4.195km, 18-corner Adelaide street circuit from 2027, with the event scheduled to remain there for at least six years.

Phillip Island is still expected to host WorldSBK until the end of its current agreement, after which both of the major world championship motorcycle events will depart the venue.

For now, though, reports of the circuit's demise appear to have been greatly exaggerated. While the debate around MotoGP moving to Adelaide is unlikely to die down any time soon, Phillip Island's owner has made one thing clear: the circuit is not about to become a golf course.

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