The FIA confirmed today the return of the Vodafone Rally de Portugal to the Junior WRC calendar in 2025. The event, organized by the Automóvel Club de Portugal, will once again host the World Rally Championship for young talents.
After a record number of participants in 2024, the Junior WRC continues its upward trajectory and will next year include one of the most iconic rounds of the FIA World Rally Championship: the Vodafone Rally de Portugal. The JWRC provides emerging rally talents with the opportunity to showcase their skills behind the wheel of identical cars, the Ford Fiesta Rally3 Evo, built by M-Sport Poland, over five rounds of the World Rally Championship (WRC).
The next season kicks off in Umeå, from February 13 to 16, with the Rally Sweden, featuring high-speed stages on snow and ice. For many Junior WRC teams, it will be their first experience with studded tires on icy and snowy surfaces, where average speeds are among the highest of the year. From May 15 to 18, the teams head to Exponor, in Matosinhos, for the Vodafone Rally de Portugal—a historic event that was one of the founding events of the WRC in 1973, known to this day for the passion of its fans. Portugal last featured in the Junior WRC calendar in 2022, and in the ACP event, young drivers will face some of the most spectacular gravel stages in the world.
The iconic EKO Acropolis Rally in Greece takes center stage from June 26 to 29. Already considered one of the most challenging rallies in the world, its move to a summer date will increase the challenge, with scorching temperatures and unforgiving gravel roads filled with rocks. Following its successful return in 2024, the Secto Rally Finland will again be the fourth and penultimate round of the JWRC. Extreme speeds and breathtaking jumps are part of the Finnish rally's DNA, which will take place in Jyväskylä from July 31 to August 3.
The season ends in style with the Central European Rally, making its debut in the Junior WRC from October 16 to 19. The event features a unique format, with stages crossing borders between Austria, Czechia, and Germany. As a final twist, double classification points will be up for grabs, adding even more excitement to the championship’s conclusion.
FIA Junior WRC manager, Maciej Woda, expressed his excitement about the 2025 calendar: “This promises to be another milestone year for the FIA Junior WRC. We have crafted a calendar that challenges our teams across a variety of terrains, from the icy roads of Sweden to the scorching heat of Greece and the variable asphalt surfaces of Austria, Czechia, and Germany.
“I’m particularly excited about returning to Portugal and introducing the Central European Rally, which brings a new dimension to the series. It’s going to be another thrilling season, and I can't wait to see who will rise to the top.”
FIA Junior WRC Calendar – 2025
- February 13-16: Rally Sweden
- May 15-18: Vodafone Rally de Portugal
- June 26-29: EKO Acropolis Rally Greece
- July 31 – August 3: Secto Rally Finland
- October 16-19: Central European Rally