Image: Supplied.

The scheduled opening round of the 2025 World Supercross Championship in Malaysia has been cancelled, with an event in Stockholm, Sweden, instead announced to be staged later in the season.

Stadium Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur was due to host round one on October 18, but will not proceed as a result of the local promoter being ‘unable to meet the requirements to host the opening round’.

It’s a concerning outcome for the FIM world championship series, which had appeared to be building firmer foundations under its current management group, but has instead fallen short just weeks out from the season-opener.

“We are thrilled to confirm that our season will head back to Europe, and in particular to Sweden, a country with a passion for two-wheeled motorsport,” stated Tom Burwell, World Supercross Championship CEO. “The Swedish GP will be a fantastic addition to the Championship and the ideal setting for the penultimate round.

“We were let down at this late stage by the Stadium Merdeka, despite the significant time, investment, and commitment that went into bringing world-class supercross to Malaysia for the very first time. Thanks to the relentless work of our team and the backing of our partners, we’ve turned disappointment into momentum. Sweden completes a five-round Championship across five continents in 2025, ahead of what is shaping up to be our biggest season yet.”

Jorge Viegas, president of the FIM, added: “The World Supercross Championship continues to grow as a truly global competition, and we welcome the addition of Sweden to the 2025 calendar.

“While it is always unfortunate when local circumstances prevent an event from proceeding as planned, the resilience shown by World Supercross and its partners ensures that riders, teams, and fans will still enjoy an outstanding season across five continents. The FIM remains fully committed to supporting the Championship and its long-term success.”

The 2025 season will now begin in Buenos Aires on 8 November, before visiting Vancouver, the Gold Coast in Australia, Stockholm, and finally Cape Town for the series finale.