2026 FIA World Rally Championship calendar revealed
- 14 rounds across four continents with strategic surface mix from snow to desert.
- Monte Carlo street stage confirmed for Saturday evening spectacle at round one.
- Rally Estonia taking place from 16th to 19th of July
The FIA and WRC Promoter have today unveiled the calendar for the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), confirming 14 rounds across four continents as the series continues to blend classic challenges with global reach.
The season begins at Rallye Monte-Carlo from 22 - 25 January, with crews tackling France’s icy alpine roads in one of rallying’s most iconic settings. A spectacular street stage in downtown Monte Carlo on Saturday evening adds extra drama and glamour to an already demanding weekend. It’s the start of a calendar that blends snow, gravel and asphalt events – including returning rounds in the Canary Islands and Paraguay following their introductions in 2025 – before culminating in the desert terrain of Saudi Arabia from 11 - 14 November.
Notably, the opening half of the year brings a welcome mix of surfaces. Asphalt rallies in Croatia, the Canary Islands and Japan complement the snow of Sweden and gravel outings in Kenya and Portugal, ensuring variety from the very start of the season. Crucially, the decision to reposition FORUM8 Rally Japan into a May slot adds a meaningful sporting benefit. By interrupting what would be a long sequence of gravel rallies, the move helps to limit the impact of road sweeping for early championship leaders – reinforcing WRC’s commitment to fairer, more competitive conditions.
“This is a calendar built with purpose,” said WRC Promoter Managing Director Jona Siebel. “It’s diverse, it flows well, and it reflects the feedback we’ve had from teams, drivers and stakeholders. We’ve put real thought into how the sequence of events can impact the sporting fight.” FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: "The 2026 WRC calendar is a powerful reflection of the championship’s global strength and appeal. It combines the heritage of iconic rallies with the return of newer events in regions where participation and interest in rallying continues to grow.”
2026 WRC Calendar
1. Rallye Monte-Carlo, 22 - 25 January
2. Rally Sweden, 12 - 15 February
3. Safari Rally Kenya, 12 - 15 March
4. Croatia Rally, 9 - 12 April
5. Rally Islas Canarias, 23 - 26 April
6. Vodafone Rally de Portugal, 7 - 10 May
7. FORUM8 Rally Japan, 28 - 31 May
8. EKO Acropolis Rally, 25 - 28 June
9. Rally Estonia, 16 - 19 July
10. Secto Rally Finland, 30 July - 2 August
11. Rally del Paraguay, 27 - 30 August
12. Rally Chile Bio Bío, 10 - 13 September
13. Rally Italia, 1 - 4 October
14. Rally Saudi Arabia, 11 - 14 November
The World Rally Championship (WRC) is the FIA’s premium rally series. It showcases high-performance cars and the world’s best drivers competing in dramatic surroundings, ranging from Sweden’s freezing winter to Kenya’s heat and rocky tracks. Participants battle for drivers’ and manufacturers’ titles at 14 rallies.
