Highly Anticipated WRC Calendar for Upcoming Season Officially Unveiled
The long-awaited official calendar for the upcoming World Rally Championship (WRC) season has just been released. Featuring a total of 14 rounds across four continents, the season will begin—as is tradition—with the Rallye Monte-Carlo, scheduled to take place from 22 to 25 January. The event will include a special night stage through the streets of Monte Carlo on Saturday. Throughout the year, drivers will face a wide range of conditions, with rallies held on snow, gravel, and asphalt. The 2026 calendar sees the return of two events introduced in 2025: Rally Islas Canarias and Rally Paraguay.
The Spanish round will take place immediately before the Vodafone Rally de Portugal, which in 2026 is set to run from 7 to 10 May and will serve as the sixth round of the championship. The season finale is scheduled for 11 to 14 November in Saudi Arabia, promising an extreme challenge to close the calendar, shaped by the country’s demanding climate.
Among the changes to the 2026 WRC calendar, particular attention is drawn to the new slot for Rally Japan, which will now take place in May. The adjustment aims to reduce the impact of the concentration of gravel events, promoting greater competitive balance by mitigating the so-called "road sweeping effect" that disadvantages the early starters in the championship standings.According to Jona Siebel, Managing Director of WRC Promoter, “The 2026 calendar has been constructed with purpose (…) it is diverse, well-structured, and reflects the feedback we’ve received from teams, drivers, and other stakeholders. We have carefully considered the sequence of events and how it can influence sporting fairness.”
For FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the calendar underscores the strength and global appeal of the WRC: “It is a blend of iconic rally heritage and the return of events in regions where interest in the sport continues to grow.”
Stay informed with the full 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. 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. Ueno 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