Ambition isn’t in short supply as the Boost Mobile AUSX Supercross Championship prepares to launch into season 2026, with its most expansive calendar yet accompanied by a significant investment across competitors, broadcast technology, and the fan experience. Whether it all works remains the question, but there is no denying the intent.

Under the leadership of CEO Adam Bailey, AUSX will span five events across Australia and New Zealand, beginning in Townsville next weekend, followed by Auckland, Geelong, Perth and Newcastle. Importantly, there is a distinction between the AUSX series and the Motorcycling Australia (MA)-sanctioned Australian Supercross Championship this year.

All five will form part of AUSX, while only the final four rounds – Auckland through Newcastle – count towards the ‘Australian championship’. Townsville effectively stands alone (permitted through Motorcycling Queensland) outside of the national title, despite opening the wider AUSX series, which is backed by government, tourism and major-event partners across key host markets. Critically, it is that involvement that supports expansion and can provide a more sustainable foundation for the series’ long-term growth.

Image: Foremost Media.

It’s an unusual arrangement and somewhat political, but from the outside looking in, it’s telling that AUSX itself is in fact the title to win. MA’s championship status holds significance, of course, but when the same promoter, paddock and riders are effectively contesting a broader series within a series, its four-round classification risks becoming something of a sideshow to the overall AUSX narrative. And so it should.

Commercially, AUSX’s strengths in the domestic market are currently unmatched. Its ability to attract major partners, secure stadium venues and package supercross as entertainment has been evident, especially in recent years with true experience coming into play. What’s different in 2026 is the extent to which that investment is being directed back into the sporting product. And it’s the competitors – aka the community – who appear to be the biggest winners. At least on paper.

Expansion brings increased costs, so as part of a new Rider Portal system, AUSX has introduced a championship-managed freight program alongside entry-fee reductions of up to 25 percent and a 20 percent increase in prize money. Secure transport crates, covered pits at long-haul events, shared workshop facilities and discounted accommodation form part of an innovative Rider Support Program, which is separately inclusive of professional-grade sponsorship guidance and support.

It won’t suddenly make national-level supercross easily affordable and it’s logistically challenging no matter how you present it, but the inaugural AUSX Privateer Championship is another acknowledgement of that reality. AME Group initially committed $30,000 to the concept, with supporter contributions lifting its dedicated purse beyond $40,000 to date. There’s also up to $100,000 available through a new Content Rewards Program, paying riders for approved social media content (and near $10,000 has already been distributed).

Other initiatives are considerably more experimental. Soon to be publicly released, an ‘AUSX 360’ platform introduces global streaming alongside 360-degree and virtual-reality functionality, while an AI-powered Fan Companion is designed to service fans and gather insight into audience interests. Their value will ultimately depend on whether anybody meaningfully uses them, but each are important additions.

Image: Foremost Media.

More tangible is a substantial broadcast overhaul that we’ve discovered. Locally, every event will be aired live through 7plus, Fox Sports and Kayo, with delayed coverage on 7mate – the most comprehensive in the sport’s history. Supercars head of broadcast, Nathan Prendergast, is overseeing a refreshed production featuring new graphics, specialist cameras, selected POV drone coverage and increased emphasis on storytelling.

The live fan experience is also being expanded, with a greater Freestyle Kings integration, American-inspired Fan Fests, rider appearances and increased access, alongside the usual entertainment elements that make up supercross as we know it. A new AUSX Street Party takeover initiative will also take the sport downtown, highlighted by a Holeshot Challenge in Townsville and featuring the legendary Chad Reed.

For 2026, there is a newly-introduced dedicated track crew, together with an international influence, which will be one of the easier developments to judge, because the quality of the circuits directly impacts the racing and television product, as well as safety. On that note, AUSX has curiously transitioned to a professional, paid medical team after appointing for Medical Edge for 2026.

Elsewhere, SMX Next Australia provides another important connection internationally, establishing a pathway for leading Australian and New Zealand prospects toward the 2027 SMX Next World All-Stars program in the United States. The top-three SX3 championship finishers will receive invitations under an official partnership, which itself should be commended.

That all said, it must be acknowledged that behind closed doors, change is in the air more broadly for the sport in this country. National motocross is heading toward substantial overhaul from 2027, with ProMX in its current form nearing the end of its cycle and with a different direction set to emerge altogether.

Image: Foremost Media.

No, that doesn’t mean that AME Group is positioning itself to take over the outdoors – far from it – but collectively there is a sense that expectations of our national-level series are shifting. We reported back in June that MA was seeking to outsource its flagship national championships and it’s being discussed within the industry now that an agreement has been met to bring in a private promoter again from as soon as 2027.

Individually speaking, none of these measures that AUSX is introducing this year guarantee anything, and truth be told, AME could be better in a few fundamental areas that we don’t witness on the front-end. However, collectively, they represent a determined group of sports marketers attempting to establish what a modern two-wheel motorsport category can look like in Australia – commercially appealing, nationally relevant, and increasingly willing to invest in the on-track talent and infrastructure beneath the show.

That matters at a time when the domestic motorcycle racing landscape is approaching its own period of evolution altogether. If AUSX can execute what it has outlined for 2026, it will inevitably raise expectations elsewhere – and the sport should be better for that, regardless of who promotes which discipline or whose name ultimately appears above the associated championship.

So, as I alluded to at the top, the ambition is certainly there, and so is the investment. But now, AUSX has to prove it can pull it all off while ensuring that the teams – factory and independent – can sustain their vision. This is the best opportunity that the sport has had to succeed in the mainstream since ‘Super X’ ended 15 years ago – it’s time to stabilise Australian supercross once and for all.