The Repco Supercars Championship has officially announced an expansive 14-round calendar for the 2026 season, marking a significant growth phase for the premier Australian touring car category. Highlighting the new schedule is an unprecedented double-header in New Zealand alongside a highly anticipated return to Queensland Raceway, giving teams and drivers their busiest racing schedule since the pre-pandemic 2019 season.
This expanded schedule signals a major boost for touring car racing fans across Australasia. Series organizers have structured the year to maximize fan engagement, starting with a major announcement that admission to the opening day of the season opener at Sydney Motorsport Park on February 20 will be completely free of charge for all spectators.
Expanding the Continental Footprint: The New Zealand Sweep
A major highlight of the 2026 schedule is the historic expansion across the Tasman Sea. Rather than a single international flyaway event, Supercars will execute a back-to-back New Zealand double-header in April.
The initial leg kicks off at Taupō Motorsport Park from April 10–12, capitalizing on the massive crowd success seen at the venue in recent years. Immediately following, the paddock will travel to the South Island for a maiden championship event at Ruapuna Raceway near Christchurch on April 17–19. This structural shift ensures that Kiwi motorsport fans receive a dedicated block of high-octane touring car action.
Championship Structure: Sprint, Enduro, and Finals Formats
The battle for the 2026 championship title will remain divided into three distinct competitive phases, challenging drivers across varying race formats and strategies.
- The Sprint Cup: Spanning the first nine events of the year, this phase emphasizes raw qualifying speed and short-form race tactics. It launches in Sydney, stops at the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park, sweeps through New Zealand, and visits classic venues like Symmons Plains, Hidden Valley, Reid Park, and Wanneroo Raceway before concluding at the resurrected Queensland Raceway round in Ipswich.
- The Endurance Cup: Testing reliability, pit crew efficiency, and co-driver partnerships, the traditional two-round enduro format returns. Teams will tackle the demanding The Bend 500 in South Australia before heading to Mount Panorama for the crown jewel of Australian motorsport, the iconic Bathurst 1000 in October.
- The Finals Series: The ultimate champion will be crowned over a grueling three-event high-stakes elimination series. The battle takes place on the unforgiving concrete-lined streets of the Gold Coast, moves to the historic Sandown Raceway in Melbourne, and concludes at the Adelaide 500 street race in December.
“The New Zealand double-header is a historic moment, and the debut of Toyota at Sydney Motorsport Park is something we’ve all been looking forward to,” stated Supercars Chief Executive James Warburton. “Making the opening day free for everyone is our way of saying thank you to the fans who make this sport so special.”
Broadcast Agreements and Support Categories
While the core of the media coverage remains stable, minor adjustments have been made to the television broadcast landscape. Supercars confirmed a new four-year broadcast extension with New Zealand’s Sky Sport service to secure long-term live international coverage. However, Australian free-to-air viewers will see a slight reduction in broadcast events via Seven Sport, as the Darwin round transitions exclusively to subscription-based services.
The developmental tier of the sport will also see plenty of track time, with a confirmed six-round Dunlop Super2 series calendar. Super2 will commence its season under the lights in Sydney, followed by its first-ever trip to Hidden Valley in Darwin, before continuing to Perth, Bathurst, Sandown, and Adelaide. Complete schedules for additional support categories are being finalized, though prominent series such as the Toyota GR Cup and the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia are expected to fill the undercard positions.
Official 2026 Repco Supercars Championship Calendar
Sprint Cup
- Feb 20–22: Sydney Motorsport Park | Sydney, NSW
- Mar 5–8: Albert Park | Melbourne, Vic
- Apr 10–12: Taupō Motorsport Park | Taupo, NZ
- Apr 17–19: Ruapuna Raceway | Christchurch, NZ
- May 22–24: Symmons Plains | Launceston, Tas
- Jun 19–21: Hidden Valley | Darwin, NT
- Jul 10–12: Reid Park | Townsville, Qld
- Jul 31–Aug 2: Wanneroo Raceway | Perth, WA
- Aug 21–23: Queensland Raceway | Ipswich, Qld
Endurance Cup
- Sep 11–13: The Bend 500 | Tailem Bend, SA
- Oct 8–11: Bathurst 1000 | Bathurst, NSW
Finals Series
- Oct 23–25: Gold Coast | Gold Coast, Qld
- Nov 13–15: Sandown Raceway | Melbourne, Vic
- Dec 3–6: Adelaide 500 | Adelaide, SA
What are your thoughts on the expanded 2026 calendar and the new New Zealand double-header format? Let us know your opinions in the comments below, or check out our comprehensive technical reviews of the Gen3 machinery.
References
- Branagan, P. (2025). Here’s the calendar of the 2026 Supercars season. Motorsport.com.