Autodromo Internacional do Algarve and WorldSBK owners Dorna have reached an agreement to keep the Portuguese round at Portimao until 2027.
The circuit has been part of the Superbike World Championship since 2008, with the exception of 2016. Since then, it witnessed some thrilling WorldSBK action over the 14 years, hosting 29 WorldSBK races and countless memories.
“We are proud to have retained our association with WorldSBK and to host the Portuguese Round for another five years," said Paulo Pinheiro, AIA CEO.
"As well as being one of the most high-profile events in world motorsport, WorldSBK was the inaugural event at AIA Portimao when we opened our gates for the very first time in 2008, and that makes it an important and special part of our history.
The racing is always thrilling, the fans love it and come in their thousands, and it is a great opportunity for us to show off the beautiful Algarve region.”
The Portuguese circuit has been the scene to some memorable WorldSBK moments since it first hosted the Championship back in 2008, from Troy Bayliss’ double win in 2008 in his final round before retirement was, to Ben Spies’ 2009 title, claimed by overhauling Noriyuki Haga in a stunning season finale.
More recently, the fierce battling of Toprak Razgatlioglu and Jonathan Rea from 2021 hit the headlines, as well as Alvaro Bautista’s superb win in Race 2 of 2022. The 2023 round promises to deliver more of the same and the paddock looks forward to the annual trip to the Algarve until at least 2027.