Race of Champions will head to Australia for the first time next year, with the annual all-star event heading to the Accor Stadium in Sydney.
It will be the first time the knock-out competition, which has been running since 1988, has taken place in its typical stadium setting since 2019, when Mexico City’s Foro Sol – which also forms part of the city’s Formula 1 and Formula E circuits – hosted the event which was won by local Benito Guerra. It will also be the first running of the event since 2023 after it took a year out this year.
“We are incredibly excited to bring the Race Of Champions to Australia for the first time ever,” said ROC president and co-founder Fredrik Johnsson. “ROC has always been about pushing drivers to their limits in unique conditions.
“Australia has a rich motorsport heritage, and 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.”
Race of Champions attracts a wide range of drivers across a multitude of motorsport disciplines, with them competing in identical cars along a mirrored track. Jamie Whincup is the first driver to be confirmed for the event, which will take place on March 7-8.
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“I had a great time competing at the Race Of Champions World Finals in Bangkok and Barbados,” said the seven-time Supercars champion. “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.”
Previous Race of Champions locations include King Faha Sports City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, LoanDepot Park in Miami, London’s Olympic and Wembley Stadiums, Bushy Park in Barbados, Rajamanala National Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf, Germany, Beijing’s ‘Bird’s Nest’ stadium, and Stade de France in Paris. The 2020 edition of the event – won by Timmy Hansen – was completed virtually amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The previous two editions have been contested on an ice track in Pitea, Sweden. Mattias Ektrom is the defending champion, having defeated Mick Schumacher in 2023’s final to claim a record-equaling fourth title. Norway’s Petter and Oliver Solberg are defending Nations’ Cup winners, having won the last two contests.