The Bend Lands Two-Year Kayo Deal for 2026 Rounds
The Bend Championship Series has landed a two-year kayo broadcast deal that starts this weekend with the 2026 Circuit Excel Nationals. All championship rounds in 2026 will have national live coverage, giving the grassroots series a platform it has not had before.
Shahin on The Bend deal
Dr Sam Shahin, managing director of The Bend Motorsport Park, called the partnership a landmark moment for Australian motorsport and said grassroots racing is the foundation of the industry. He said every professional driver and rider starts somewhere, and that the agreement gives competitors in The Bend Championship Series a national stage to showcase talent, attract sponsors and advance careers.
Shahin also said the series represents passion, competition, community and opportunity, adding that the broadcast deal is about making the sport more accessible to fans across the country. The series was formerly known as the South Australian Motor Racing Championship.
Adam Brook and the 2026 rounds
Adam Brook, The Bend Motorsport Park Championship Manager, said the agreement would create significant opportunities for competitors and sponsors alike. He called it a game-changing moment for competitors, teams and partners, and said many drivers will get their first chance to compete in front of a national audience.
The first live broadcast on kayo will be the 2026 Circuit Excel Nationals at The Bend Motorsport Park in Tailem Bend on 13 and 14 June. It is the second round in a six-round championship that runs exclusively at The Bend and Mallala Motorsport Park, with more than 130 competitors per round and three to six racing categories.
Free entry at The Bend
That wider reach comes with a straightforward draw for spectators: entry is free for all rounds except The Bend Classic Country Music Festival. For teams and drivers, the immediate shift is simple — the 2026 championship rounds now carry national exposure from the opening live broadcast this weekend, and the series’ move onto kayo puts its fields and categories in front of a far larger audience.
