2026 MXGP of Australia
Darwin finale locked in for September 18-20
The MXGP of Australia presented by Sitzler will return to Darwin from September 18-20, with Hidden Valley Raceway again set to host the final, championship-deciding round of the FIM Motocross World Championship.
The timing already looks tasty. The 2026 world championship chase has taken on a distinctly Coenen flavour, with Lucas Coenen leading MXGP after a dominant start to the season, while twin brother Sacha has moved to the top of the MX2 standings. The pair made more history in Latvia when they swept their respective classes, as covered in our MXGP of Latvia report, before both then starred during their recent American cameo at Thunder Valley.
Darwin’s 2025 MXGP debut delivered exactly the kind of late-season theatre organisers had hoped for, with Romain Febvre and Simon Längenfelder crowned world champions in a storm-hit Hidden Valley finale. The event marked the return of the FIM Motocross World Championship to Australia after a 24-year absence, following the original Darwin MXGP announcement and the later reveal of the purpose-built Hidden Valley track design.
Three-day program confirmed
Event organisers have now released the provisional on-track timetable for the 2026 MXGP of Australia, confirming a packed three-day program that again blends world championship competition with Australian support-class racing.
- Friday will open with the all-Australian MX3 and MX85 State Challenge, with teams from across the country chasing national bragging rights.
- Saturday morning will feature Australian support-class racing before MXGP, MX2 and WMX riders take over for practice, qualifying races and the opening WMX race.
- Sunday will bring the championship deciders, with the second WMX race and two races each for MXGP and MX2.
For the first time, Australian support classes will also race on Saturday morning, extending the local component of the event before the international classes take centre stage.
World titles on the line
The world’s best MXGP and MX2 riders will descend on Hidden Valley Raceway for the final round of the 2026 championship, joined by the concluding round of the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship.
Australian wildcard riders are again expected to add a strong local flavour across MXGP, MX2 and WMX, with those wildcard selections to be announced closer to the event.
That wildcard element was one of the key talking points when the Australian GP returned in 2025, giving local riders a rare chance to measure themselves against the best in the world on home soil. With the 2026 MXGP, MX2 and WMX title fights all due to reach their conclusion in Darwin, the stakes should again be high from the opening gate drop.
Sitzler strengthens Darwin commitment
Sitzler has signed on as Presenting Partner of the MXGP of Australia for 2026 and the following three years, reinforcing Darwin’s position on the global motocross calendar.
The Hidden Valley track has quickly become one of the more distinctive circuits on the MXGP schedule. The 1.6-kilometre layout features 22 corners, 21 jumps and a 90-metre start straight that crosses the Hidden Valley road-racing circuit, with the venue designed to offer spectators broad views across much of the course.
Infront Moto Racing CEO David Luongo described Darwin as “a permanent fixture on the global motocross map”, while Motorcycling Australia CEO Peter Doyle said the 2026 event is set to build from junior Australian racing on Friday toward a world championship crescendo on Sunday.
Tickets on sale
Tickets are on sale now, with a 3-Day Hot Pass priced at $150, day passes starting from $45, and children 12 and under admitted free with a paying adult. A $30 Paddock Pass upgrade will also be available for fans chasing behind-the-scenes access.
Hospitality options include the Skybox and Valley View Terrace, while the Holeshot Hotel is positioned as a premium general-admission area with a more relaxed Territory feel.
Event organisers are also leaning into the broader Top End travel opportunity, encouraging fans to build a Darwin escape around the race weekend, from waterfront dining and dry-season sunsets to fishing, wildlife experiences, national parks and Kakadu day trips.
MXGP of Australia Track Timetable
All times listed are local Darwin time.
Provisional timetable, subject to change.
Friday, September 18
| Time | Class | Session |
|---|---|---|
| 11:00 | – | Gates Open |
| 11:20 | AUS MX85 | Free/Time Practice |
| 11:55 | AUS MX3 | Free/Time Practice |
| 13:05 | AUS MX85 | Race 1 |
| 13:40 | AUS MX3 | Race 1 |
| 14:40 | AUS MX85 | Race 2 |
| 15:15 | AUS MX3 | Race 2 |
| 16:15 | AUS MX85 | Race 3 |
| 16:50 | AUS MX3 | Race 3 |
Saturday, September 19
| Time | Class | Session |
|---|---|---|
| 07:30 | – | Gates Open |
| 08:10 | AUS MX85 | Race 4 |
| 08:50 | AUS MX3 | Race 4 |
| 09:20 | MX2 | Blåkläder Start Practice |
| 09:50 | MXGP | Blåkläder Start Practice |
| 10:40 | WMX | Free Practice |
| 11:05 | MX2 | Free Practice |
| 11:35 | MXGP | Free Practice |
| 13:00 | WMX | Qualifying Practice |
| 13:40 | MX2 | Time Practice |
| 14:20 | MXGP | Time Practice |
| 15:30 | WMX | Race 1 |
| 16:15 | MX2 | Qualifying Race |
| 17:00 | MXGP | Qualifying Race |
Sunday, September 20
| Time | Class | Session |
|---|---|---|
| 08:30 | – | Gates Open |
| 09:45 | WMX | Race 2 |
| 10:25 | MX2 | Warm-Up |
| 10:45 | MXGP | Warm-Up |
| 12:15 | MX2 | Race 1 |
| 13:15 | MXGP | Race 1 |
| 15:10 | MX2 | Race 2 |
| 16:10 | MXGP | Race 2 |
Further event information and tickets are available via mxgpaustralia.com.au.
