AUSX Supercross will bring an Australian-first motorsport spectacle to Townsville this October, taking Supercross out of the stadium and onto the city streets with the country’s first Supercross street takeover and Holeshot Challenge.

Inspired by the internationally recognised Nashville Holeshot Challenge, the Australian-first concept will see the intensity of a Supercross start brought directly into the heart of Townsville, transforming Palmer Street into a purpose-built dirt racing strip for one afternoon only.

The AusX Supercross Championship opener in Townsville is jointly supported by the Australian and Queensland governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

The AUSX Street Party – Palmer Street Takeover will kick off from 3:00pm on Friday, 2 October, with factory race trucks lining the street, championship riders, meet-and-greets, live entertainment and activations creating a free, family-friendly celebration ahead of the season opener of the 2026 Boost Mobile AUSX Supercross Championship presented by Monster Energy.

At the centre of the Street Party will be the inaugural AUSX Holeshot Challenge, with championship riders and local personalities going head-to-head down Palmer Street.

One of the most explosive and important moments in Supercross, the holeshot is the battle out of the start gates. The AUSX Holeshot Challenge will strip that battle back to its purest form — two riders, two gates and a flat-out sprint to the line.

Each race will be over in seconds, bringing the speed, reaction time and intensity of a Supercross start within metres of fans lining Palmer Street.

Beyond the racing, the Street Party will give fans unprecedented access to the sport, with factory team trucks on display, rider signings and appearances, entertainment and activations taking over Palmer Street and the Brewery Carpark throughout the afternoon.

Supported by Tourism and Events Queensland and taking place during the Queensland school holidays, the free event will extend the AUSX experience beyond the stadium and into the city, creating another reason for locals and visitors to experience Townsville across the Supercross weekend.

Townsville will become the first Australian city to host a Supercross street takeover, adding another major event experience to the region’s calendar before the action moves to Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Saturday, 3 October for the opening round of the Championship.

The AUSX Townsville season opener is supported by Tourism and Events Queensland and delivered in partnership with Townsville City Council through Townsville Enterprise, building on the city’s growing reputation for hosting major sporting and entertainment events.

Quotes attributable to AUSX Supercross CEO Adam Bailey:

“The AUSX Street Party will kick-start the 2026 season in spectacular style.

“We’re opening the season in a way Australia has never seen before — taking Supercross out of the stadium and putting it right in the middle of Townsville.

“We’ve seen how successful the Holeshot Challenge concept has been internationally, particularly in Nashville, and we wanted to create our own Australian version that brings fans even closer to the sport.

“Palmer Street will have the factory team trucks, championship riders, signings and activations, and right through the middle of it will be a purpose-built dirt strip with riders going head-to-head off the start gates.

“It’s about showcasing Supercross to the whole community and giving everyone a taste of what’s coming when the Championship takes over Queensland Country Bank Stadium the very next night.”

Quotes attributable to Federal Assistant Minister for Northern Australia, Assistant Minister for Tourism, and Senator for Queensland, Nita Green:

“Townsville is becoming a beacon for major events and the Albanese Labor Government is proud to help ensure events like these are happening in regional Queensland.

“This Australian-first event will bring so many people to the streets of Townsville, and will mean so much to local tourism operators and small business.

“This is a government that backs Townsville, backs regional Queensland and backs our tourism and events industry.”

Quotes attributable to Queensland Member for Townsville Adam Baillie MP:

“The street party will add even more excitement to the AUSX weekend. AUSX is expected to inject more than $7.13 million into the Queensland economy with more heads on beds and cheeks on seats, delivering a welcome boost to Townville’s visitor economy.

“Bringing the Supercross action beyond the stadium and into the city will give visitors another reason to stay longer and experience more of Townsville and North Queensland.

“Backing major events like AUSX is all part of the Crisafulli Government’s plan to grow tourism across the state and cements Townsville’s reputation as the sporting and events capital of the North.”

Quotes attributable to Townsville Mayor Cr Nick Dametto:

“As a motorsport fan, I can't wait to see Palmer Street come alive with the sights, sounds and adrenaline of Supercross right in the heart of our city.

“Council has worked closely with AusX to help make this Australian-first event happen, and we're proud to be bringing something so unique to Townsville.

“And who knows, I might even have to put my hand up for the Holeshot Challenge.”

Quotes attributable to Townsville Enterprise Director Major Event Acquisition, Chelsea Cavanah:

“The Street Party will further extend the benefits of hosting the AUSX season opener into the city.

“We know the benefits of hosting major events are greatest when the experience extends beyond the venue and into the wider city, and the Palmer Street Takeover is a fantastic example of that approach.

“Delivering an Australian-first experience like this strengthens Townsville’s reputation as the events capital of the north and supports our continued focus on building a distinctive, year-round major events calendar. With the event taking place during the Queensland school holidays, we want visitors to make a weekend of it.

“Experience the Street Party, enjoy everything our city and region have to offer, and then see world-class Supercross under lights at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.”