Music
Jimmy Barnes Returns to Phillip Island for the MotoGP™ Grand Prix of Australia 2026
Few artists have left a mark on Australian music quite like Jimmy Barnes. After more than four decades at the top of Australian rock and roll, the legendary performer is set to return to the MotoGP™ Grand Prix of Australia 2026 for one unforgettable and emotional farewell performance at Phillip Island.
As the sun sets over the Bass Coast on Saturday, 24 October, Barnes will headline the MotoGP™ Saturday night entertainment, following a thrilling day of world-class motorcycle racing, with MotoGP™, Moto2™ and Moto3™ Qualifying and the MotoGP™ Tissot Sprint Race.
Making the occasion even more special, this will see Jimmy Barnes return to the MotoGP™ Grand Prix of Australia 2026 after 30 years, having last played the event during its brief stint at Eastern Creek in 1993 as part of his Sweat It Out tour.
The heart and soul of Australian rock and roll, Barnes has built an extraordinary career that spans legendary years fronting Cold Chisel and a record-breaking solo career. A two-time ARIA Hall of Fame inductee, he holds the remarkable record of 22 Australian No. 1 albums, more than any other local artist, and has delivered some of the country’s most memorable live performances.
His catalogue is packed with timeless Australian classics including Working Class Man, Flame Trees, Khe Sanh, and songs from his latest chart-topping album, DEFIANT. Released in 2025, DEFIANT became his 22nd No. 1 album, continuing a remarkable run that has cemented Barnes as one of Australia’s greatest performers. The milestone followed celebrations of the 40th anniversary of For the Working Class Man, including a new documentary and a series of acclaimed outdoor concerts across 2025 and 2026.
Fans can expect an unforgettable live set filled with the anthems that have become part of Australia’s cultural fabric. From powerhouse rock classics to crowd-favourite singalongs, Barnes’ trademark voice and commanding stage presence promise to deliver a fitting farewell to Phillip Island.
How to get tickets?
Best of all, the concert is included with every Saturday MotoGP™ Grand Prix of Australia 2026 ticket. Adult Island Passes start from just $75, giving fans the chance to experience a full day of thrilling on-track racing before capping it off with one of Australia’s greatest live performers.
To help everyone enjoy the complete experience, Catch-a-Coach departure times from the circuit will be extended following the concert, with additional services operating to Cowes township so fans can stay longer and soak up the atmosphere.
Working Class Man will meet world-class racing for one final time as Jimmy Barnes bids farewell to Phillip Island in what promises to be one of the most memorable moments of the MotoGP™ Grand Prix of Australia 2026. Book your spot now at Ticketmaster.com.au.
