Former WorldSBK champion Neil Hodgson is calling for several changes to the series’ calendar, stating it “deserves more” than its current offering.
The Superbike World Championship once boasted a highly diverse calendar, spanning multiple continents and including several circuits also used in MotoGP.
However, since the COVID-19 pandemic, several rounds have come and gone, replaced by events with a more Europe-centric focus.
To put things into perspective, the 2015 WorldSBK calendar featured rounds in Australia, Thailand, the Netherlands, Italy, the United Kingdom, Portugal, the United States, France, Spain, and Qatar.
But in 2025, and now again in 2026 after the latest calendar unveiling, WorldSBK is limited to its traditional season opener at Phillip Island plus 11 rounds in Europe.
Notably, half of the calendar is concentrated in just three countries: Portugal, Italy, and Spain.
While commentating during Friday’s free practice in Misano, Hodgson shared that the MotoGP calendar is too long, whereas the WorldSBK calendar is too short.
“That’s the general feeling from everybody. From the fans, from people who work in the MotoGP paddock, from people who work in the WorldSBK paddock,” said Hodgson.
“They want more rounds. They want more long-haul flights. They want to travel a little bit more. Essentially it’s a European championship with a round in Australia to start with.
“I feel like WorldSBK as a championship deserves more than that. There should be a round in America. Laguna [Seca] is the obvious one, just a ridiculously fantastic circuit to ride round.”
The 2003 champion reflected on WorldSBK’s golden era of popularity and proposed reinstating two additional tracks on the calendar.
“Even Sugo was a fantastic track in Japan; it got so much character. It would be definitely a track I recommend,” he added.
“We should have two in the UK and race at Brands Hatch. Think about the golden years and being however many thousands.
“It was a sell-out and a great atmosphere, great for the fans and riders because it’s an incredible track.”
The WorldSBK championship needs to return to its former circuits to reaffirm its legitimacy as a world championship.
Although plans for tracks in South America and Asia reportedly fell through, the series would benefit from attracting crowds in diverse markets once again.
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