Race of Champions coming to Australia

For the first time the Race of Champions event will be coming to Australia with Sydney hosting the 2025 event.

On March 7-8 2025, Sydney’s Accor stadium with a capacity of 83,500 in Sydney Olympic Park will host some of the biggest names in global motorsport go head to head in identical cars.

The most successful Supercars driver ever in Jamie Whincup has already been confirmed to participate in the event that will attack stars from Formula 1, INDYCAR, Le Mans, World Rally and more.

With a history dating back to 1988, the Race Of Champions has been held at some of the world’s greatest venues – including Beijing’s Bird’s Nest Olympic Stadium, Stade de France in Paris, London’s Olympic Stadium and Wembley Stadium, Mexico City’s Foro Sol plus a wide range of exotic locations all over the Globe from Bangkok, Barbados, Miami, Riyadh, Mexico City and the Arctic Circle in Sweden.

Sydney’s Olympic stadium will join that list next year with a figure eight parallel track set to be constructed on the venue.

The event is well timed being just a week before the Australian Grand Prix begins the 2025 Formula 1 season.

Race Of Champions President and Co-Founder Fredrik Johnsson believes Accor Stadium and Australia deserved the global event.

Jessie and Fredrik Johnsson at Accor Stadium.

“We are incredibly excited to bring the Race Of Champions to Australia for the first time ever,” he said. 

“ROC has always been about pushing drivers to their limits in unique conditions. Australia has a rich motorsport heritage.

“We’re looking forward to celebrating that by pitting some of the best Australian drivers against some of the world’s most legendary racing stars in a spectacular showdown in the middle of Accor Stadium.”

Whincup already has experience of the Race of Champions and cannot wait to see it on home turf.

“I had a great time competing at the Race Of Champions World Finals in Bangkok and Barbados,” he said. 

“I’m thrilled to be part of the ROC driver line-up again in 2025, especially with the event being hosted in Sydney. 

“Competing alongside some of the best drivers in the world from so many different racing series is always an incredible challenge and representing Australian motorsport on home soil now that ROC comes to Australia for the first time makes it even more special. 

“I can’t wait to get out there and give it everything for the Aussie fans.”

Five-time MotoGP world champion Mick Doohan has four Race of Champions under his belt and believes it all be a big thing for Australia.

“It’s great news that the Race Of Champions is finally coming here to Australia for the first time,” he said.
“I’ve truly enjoyed my participations in the event in the past. 

“ROC’s concept with drivers from different forms of motorsport competing head-to-head inside a stadium with the spectators so close to the action creates a fantastic atmosphere both for the drivers and fans.”

“The Race Of Champions is an incredibly exciting and new event for Sydney. This is an event like no other with the world’s best drivers to go head-to-head on Australian soil for the first time – it will be a spectacle not to be missed,” said NSW Minister for Sport Steve Kamper.

Tickets will go on sale 11AM AEDT Wednesday October 16th, 2024.

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