China will become a new destination for WorldSBK in 2027, with a round at Shanghai International Circuit included on the championship’s provisional calendar. It will be the series’ first visit to the country and a notable expansion of its geographic reach, following two years in which only one round was held outside Europe.

The Shanghai venue already has an established international racing history. It hosted MotoGP races during the 2000s and has been part of the Formula 1 calendar since 2004, apart from the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Its addition to WorldSBK comes as Chinese manufacturers gain a larger presence across the championship’s categories.

China’s growing role in production racing

Kove has already secured a world title, with Benat Fernandez winning the 2025 World Supersport 300 championship on one of the company’s motorcycles. Kove remains involved in the new Sportbike class, while QJ Motor and ZXMoto are also competing in Supersport. From 2027, CFMoto will supply the WorldWCR series and is also developing a WorldSBK project centred on a new V4-powered superbike.

Gregorio Lavilla, WorldSBK’s executive director, described the Chinese round as “a big change”. He linked the decision to the championship’s effort to expand its calendar and to the growing involvement of Chinese manufacturers. Lavilla considers the move significant for WorldSBK and motorsport more broadly, and expects the new round to bring many positives to the championship.

Shanghai therefore gives WorldSBK a new racing venue outside Europe while placing the series closer to the expanding competition activity of Chinese manufacturers. The 2027 visit remains part of a provisional calendar, but its significance is already tied to the wider development of the championship’s international footprint.