The FIA and WRC Promoter have unveiled the calendar for the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), confirming 14 rounds across four continents.
The season begins at Rallye Monte-Carlo from 22-25 January 2026, 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 2026.
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 Rally Japan into a May slot adds a meaningful sporting benefit. By interrupting what would otherwise 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.
Jona Siebel, WRC Promoter managing director, said: “This is a calendar built with purpose. 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.”
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA president, added: “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 FIA World Rally Championship 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. 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
See more at wrc.com
Image: World Rally Championship Portugal in Porto, Portugal in May 2025 (Credit: Jaanus Ree/Red Bull Content Pool)