Hidden Valley to host expanded Darwin Supercars format in 2026
The Darwin Supercars will return bigger than ever in 2026 with championship racing to expand across three days and the inclusion of a new format for the country’s best young drivers. Read what’s happening.
The Darwin Supercars will ramp up another gear in 2026 with the program expanding to three full days of championship racing for the first time ever.
Hidden Valley will feature the event from June 19-21 marking the 28th year the Supercars have come to Darwin promising more on-track action than ever before.
The new racing format will feature a 100km sprint race on Friday, followed by 200km races on Saturday and Sunday.
In another first Hidden Valley will become the 17th host of the Dunlop Super2 Series round showing off the next generation of talented drivers to the Top End.
Major Events and Tourism and Hospitality minister Marie-Clare Boothby said the announcement followed what had been a record-breaking year for motorsport including the MXGP.
“Expanding the program to three days of championship racing will encourage people to come earlier, stay longer, spend more, and experience everything the Territory has to offer,” she said.
“With the event kicking off the Territory school holidays, it’s the perfect excuse for visitors to come early and locals to get in on the fun before their own holiday adventures begin.
“This expansion aligns with our Visitor Economy Strategy 2032, which we launched last week, our clear roadmap to grow the visitor economy to $2.2 billion by 2032.
“Showcasing the next generation of Supercars talent alongside our headline races will attract thousands of fans and highlight the Territory’s lifestyle and love of motorsport.
Also new for 2026, the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia Championship will debut an updated format featuring two 45-minute races.
The 2025 Supercars attracted 37,000 attendances and injected $27.6 million into the NT economy, including $21.8 million in new money.
Supercars chief executive James Wharton said adding a championship race to Friday would give fans more action to enjoy.
“It gives fans three straight days of full-throttle entertainment, and it sets a higher benchmark for what it means to win the Triple Crown,” he said.
“This new format means more racing for fans and a bigger challenge for drivers, which is exactly what makes this event so special.”
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Originally published as Hidden Valley to host expanded Darwin Supercars format in 2026
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