The Finocchiaro CLP Government is putting the pedal down for 2026, delivering the biggest betr-sponsored Darwin Triple Crown Supercars Indigenous Round - with the program expanding to three full days of Supercars championship racing for the first time ever.
Taking place from 19-21 June at the iconic Hidden Valley Raceway, the milestone event marks the 28th year of the Repco Supercars Championship in Darwin and promises more on-track action and competition than ever before.
The bold new racing format will feature a 100km sprint race on Friday, followed by 200km races on Saturday and Sunday.
Minister for Major Events and Tourism and Hospitality Marie-Clare Boothby said the announcement comes as the CLP Government continues to build on its record-breaking year of motorsport, delivering both for fans and for the Territory's visitor economy.
"Expanding the program from two to three days of championship racing will encourage people to come earlier, stay longer, spend more, and experience everything the Territory has to offer," said Ms Boothby.
"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 here, which we launched last week, our clear roadmap to grow the visitor economy to $2.2 billion by 2032. Events like the Darwin Triple Crown play a central role in reaching this goal."
In another first for Territory motorsport, Hidden Valley will host Darwin's first-ever Dunlop Super2 Series round as part of the Darwin Triple Crown weekend. The series is the official stepping stone for the next generation of Supercars champions, with Darwin joining as the 17th venue and the first new addition to the calendar since 2017.
"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," said Ms Boothby.
Also new for 2026, the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia Championship will debut an updated format, adopting the international Carrera Cup structure across four of the seven championship rounds, including Darwin, featuring two 45-minute races.
A highlight of the Repco Supercars Championship calendar, Ms Boothby said the Darwin Triple Crown continued to deliver for the Territory.
"This year's Supercars event attracted nearly 37,000 attendances and injected $27.6 million into our economy, including $21.8 million in new money," she said.
"Our CLP Government has delivered a huge year of events, including the Territory's first-ever MXGP of Australia, which saw more than 32,000 attendances across 3 days, and the international cricket - and 2026 is shaping up to be another massive year.
"By combining tourism and events to form powerhouse entity 'Tourism and Events NT,' our iconic events will be showcased like never before - giving visitors from across Australia and the world even more reason to choose the Territory as their next destination."
Supercars CEO James Wharton said: "Adding a Championship race to Friday gives fans three straight days of full-throttle entertainment, and it sets a higher benchmark for what it means to win the Triple Crown.
"This new format means more racing for fans and a bigger challenge for drivers, which is exactly what makes this event so special."
