The Superbike World Championship delivered its strongest attendance in a decade during the Portuguese round, as local star Miguel Oliveira helped attract 82,132 fans to the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve.
Held between March 27–29, the event marked the highest turnout since the 2015 Thailand round, highlighting a renewed surge in fan engagement for the championship.
Portugal Emerges as a Key Market
The Portuguese round has become a cornerstone of WorldSBK’s calendar. Attendance at Portimão rose significantly from 48,977 in 2024 to 53,407 last season, before reaching this year’s record-breaking figure.
Meanwhile, Circuito do Estoril also showed growth, increasing from 31,127 to 34,654 spectators—further reinforcing Portugal’s status as a stronghold for the series.
Across the 2025 season, WorldSBK welcomed a total of 588,011 spectators, signaling a steady recovery and a return to pre-pandemic levels.
On-Track Success Complements Fan Growth
On the sporting side, Nicolò Bulega dominated the weekend for Aruba.it Racing, securing pole position and completing a hat-trick of race wins.
Iker Lecuona added further success for the team by claiming the fastest lap in Race 2, while Oliveira delighted home fans with a podium finish for ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team.
MotoGP Still Sets the Benchmark
Despite the strong numbers, WorldSBK still trails MotoGP in overall attendance. The series recently drew 148,384 fans in Brazil and 228,228 spectators at the season-opening Thailand Grand Prix at Chang International Circuit.
Still, WorldSBK’s upward trajectory suggests a growing global appeal—especially when fueled by local heroes like Miguel Oliveira.