The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has announced a series of rule changes ahead of the 2027 AMA Supercross season, which will get underway on January 9 in Anaheim, California. The main adjustments concern entry limits and the qualifying format, with fewer riders set to advance to the Heat races and, most notably, the Main Events.
Here is a detailed breakdown of all the changes coming into effect for the 2027 season.
Age limits, mandatory chest protectors and fewer entries
Several general rule changes will also be introduced for the upcoming season:
- Minimum age: Riders must be at least 18 years old to compete in the professional classes.
- Chest protectors: Wearing a chest protector will be mandatory for all riders.
- Sound limit: The maximum sound limit for pre-race sound testing will be set at 109 dB/A.
- Entry limit: The maximum number of entries per class will be reduced from 80 to 66 riders in Supercross. This adjustment is intended to accommodate a maximum of three practice groups, with up to 22 riders on track in each group. It is worth noting that this limit applies exclusively to Supercross, while the entry cap for Pro Motocross will remain at 80 riders.
20-rider Main Events and fewer qualifying spots
One of the biggest changes for 2027 will be the reduction in Main Event field sizes, dropping from 22 to 20 riders. The goal is to reduce the number of lapped riders on track and improve the overall flow of the races.
This adjustment will also require changes to the qualifying process for the night show:
- Night show qualification: The 38 fastest riders in qualifying will advance to the night show, down from the top 40 in 2026.
- Heat races: Each Heat will feature 19 riders instead of 20.
- Direct Main Event qualification: The top eight finishers in each Heat will advance directly to the Main Event, compared to the top nine in 2026.
- Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ): The four available transfer spots from the LCQ will remain unchanged.
Under the new format, the 20-rider Main Event field will consist of 16 riders advancing directly from the Heat races and four riders transferring through the LCQ.
Triple Crown format changes
The Triple Crown events will also feature adjustments in 2027.
Firstly, riders will no longer be allowed to have a second motorcycle available during Triple Crown events. Additionally, the qualifying format for the three races will be structured as follows:
- Top 16 riders: Will qualify directly for all three Triple Crown races.
- Riders finishing between 17th and 38th: Will have to compete in the Last Chance Qualifier.
- Top four LCQ finishers: Will complete the 20-rider field for the three Triple Crown races.
With these changes, the AMA aims to streamline race operations and reduce the number of riders on track, both during qualifying and in the Main Events.
The 2027 AMA Supercross season will kick off on January 9 in Anaheim, California, marking the beginning of a new campaign in the American championship.
