2026 NTI Townsville 500 goes bigger, louder with Summernats, PBR return

North Queensland’s largest annual sporting event returns with a bumper line-up at the 2026 NTI Townsville 500.

This year’s edition of Supercars racing at the NTI Townsville 500 will feature an action-packed line-up on and off the track with three massive days of sport and entertainment.

As in 2025, Supercars will race on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday on the streets of Reid Park, in what will be the 20^th official Supercars event held in Townsville (includes doubleheaders in 2020 and 2021).

The action continues on dirt and bitumen after the chequered flag, with the return of Summernats and Professional Bull Riders Australia after a hugely successful debut in 2025.

Summernats Goes Troppo will light up Friday night of this year’s event, with North Queensland’s top tyre shredders set to take over the skid pad and thrill fans after the day’s racing.

New for 2026, the Summernats event at the Townsville 500 will form part of the Pro Burnout Series, with drivers competing to qualify for January’s epic Summernats Grand Final in Canberra.

PBR Australia swaps to the Saturday night at this year’s event, with a larger spectating area set to welcome bigger crowds following a standing-room-only turnout in 2025.

After 2025’s PBR event formed part of the Tasman Cup invitational, this year’s edition will be part of PBR’s Touring Pro Division.

Street Machine’s Tough Car Show also returns in 2026, letting fans get up close with North Queensland’s sweetest rides across the July 10-12 weekend.

The Australian Defence Force will again be on show at the event, with an impressive display of vehicles planned for the July event.

Toyota Supercars drivers Chaz Mostert and Ryan Wood were in Townsville today to launch this year’s event, joined by competitors and representatives from Summernats, PBR Australia, and the ADF.

“We took the NTI Townsville 500 to the next level in 2025 with an all-new event look that was a huge success with fans, and are very excited to step up the fan experience even more in 2026,” Ramsden said.

“The debut of PBR and Summernats last year was a hit with fans who packed grandstands and lined the fences all weekend. We’ve taken on very positive learnings and fine-tuning from 2025, and are confident that this year’s event will be even bigger and better when we return in July.”

Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell MP said the event was another opportunity for Queensland to cement its reputation as the sporting capital of Australia.

“Townsville has become a key destination on the Supercars calendar, blending world‑class racing with a one‑of‑a‑kind North Queensland setting,” Minister Powell said.

“The NTI Townsville 500 is the full package, delivering elite racing, great entertainment and huge exposure for the region, all wrapped into a North Queensland experience.”

Townsville Mayor Nick Dametto has welcomed the return of the nation’s premier motorsport category to Townsville, the events capital of northern Australia.

“We’re no strangers to the Supercars delivering high-octane action, but this year is shaping up to be something special,” Cr Dametto said.

“As an avid motorsport fan, I’m excited to see Summernats fire up the skid pan and set the tone for a huge weekend. With the PBR also returning, the action won’t let up.

“It’s the best time of year in North Queensland, and with Supercars anchoring our major events season, there’s something for everyone. I can’t wait to showcase everything our city has to offer.”

Townsville Enterprise CEO Claudia Brumme-Smith is equally looking forward to the region’s largest annual sporting event, which last year welcomed over 128,000 over three days.

“Supercars in 2026 will be bigger and better than ever before and we are excited to see the Summernats and PBR returning to the entertainment schedule.”

“This event has been a highlight of the cities Major event calendar for many years and continues to evolve and grow – driving strong visitation, visitor spending and building the profile of Townsville as the North’s capital of events.”

Andy Lopez, Managing Director of Summernats and Street Machine, expects this year’s show to be even louder and wilder than its 2025 debut.

“We're stoked to bring Summernats Goes Troppo back to the Townsville 500 after a smash hit in 2025,” Lopez said.

“Revheads loved the burnout and drifting displays our cars and drivers put on last year. This year’s show is part of our Pro Burnout Series and that means fans are going to see even bigger burnouts, tonnes of smoke, and the tyre torture that Summernats is famous for.”

More than two million fans have walked through the gates of the Townsville event since Supercars debuted at Reid Park in 2009.

The Repco Supercars Championship will, race on all three days of the event, with a 100km sprint on Friday followed by 200km races on Saturday and Sunday.

Support categories locked in for the 2026 NTI Townsville 500 include Touring Car Masters, Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia GR Cup, Porsche Sprint Challenge Australia, and Aussie Racing Cars.

The NTI Townsville 500 will take place over three days from July 10-12, 2026. Tickets for general admission, grandstands, and corporate hospitality are now on sale through Supercars.com.