The debut of MotoGP in Adelaide is already kicking into gear, with plans unveiled for a limited-edition run of just 500 MotoGP Grand Prix number plates to celebrate international racing coming back to the city.
In a new election promise, the Malinauskas Labor Government will release the exclusive plates ahead of the 2027 MotoGP Grand Prix if re-elected, offering South Australians the chance to own a piece of history before the first race even hits the streets.
The release is a nostalgic nod to the iconic Adelaide Grand Prix plates first issued in 1985 to mark the debut of Formula 1 in the city. Those original plates have since become prized collector’s items, fetching hundreds of thousands of dollars at auction, and these new MotoGP editions are expected to follow suit.
Rather than a standard sale, the plates will be auctioned. With only 500 available, demand is expected to be fierce.
The announcement follows South Australia’s successful bid to secure the MotoGP Grand Prix of Australia, bringing the global racing spectacle back to the original Adelaide Grand Prix street circuit. It is a major milestone, with the 2027 event set to be the first time a MotoGP-era race has ever been held on a downtown street circuit.
“South Australians remember the pride of the original Adelaide Grand Prix – and these limited-edition MotoGP plates will be another piece of history South Australians will be racing to get their hands on,” shared Premier Peter Malinauskas. “Just like the original Grand Prix plates from the 1980s, these MotoGP plates will become collector’s items – a lasting reminder of the moment international racing returned to the streets of Adelaide.
“More importantly, MotoGP will deliver millions of dollars in economic benefit for our state, filling hotels, restaurants and venues while showcasing Adelaide to hundreds of millions of fans around the world,” he added. Globally, MotoGP events generate significant tourism and hospitality spend, with recent data showing an average economic impact of around $217 million for host cities.
With a worldwide fanbase of more than 630 million people and record attendance figures continuing to climb, the event is set to put Adelaide firmly back on the international motorsport map.
Hotels, restaurants and local businesses are all expected to benefit from the influx of visitors, while the global spotlight will showcase the city to hundreds of millions of viewers.
For fans and collectors, the plates are sure to be in high demand.
