World Rally Championship

Last Updated: 5 march 2026

The World Rally Championship (WRC) is an annual rally tournament organized by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). It is an exciting and spectacular sporting event that attracts millions of fans worldwide. Every year, the championship brings together the best drivers and teams in the world to compete for the title of champion. It is also the highest level of rallying competition in the world.

The championship consists of 13 stages, which are held in different countries of the world. Each stage is made up of several special stages that cover different types of roads, including tarmac, gravel, snow and ice.

Teams from around the world participate in the World Rally Championship, including Finland, France, Spain, Germany, Sweden, Italy, Japan, New Zealand and others.

2026 World Rally Championship

The 2026 World Rally Championship (WRC 2026) will be the 54th season of the global rally championship held under the auspices of the International Automobile Federation (FIA), retaining its status as one of the world’s premier motorsport series.

When will it take place?

The season is scheduled to run from late January to mid-November and, according to confirmed information, will feature 14 rounds across four continents. Calendar will once again offer a wide variety of surfaces — from winter asphalt and snow to gravel and hot, high-speed special stages. The championship is expected to open with the Monte Carlo Rally in January, while the final round is set to take place in Saudi Arabia in November.

Rounds

The calendar will continue to include both classic rallies (Sweden, Finland, Japan, Greece) and relatively new locations, including Rally Islas Canarias, which made its debut in the previous season. WRC 2026 is also regarded as the final year of the current Rally1 technical regulations ahead of major rule changes planned for 2027, making the season particularly significant for teams, manufacturers, and fans alike.

Which famous drivers have competed in the WRC?

Many famous drivers have competed in the WRC, including Finnish drivers Sebastien Leb, Markku Alén and Jari-Matti Latvala, French drivers Sébastien Ogier and Daniel Sordo, Spanish drivers Carlos Sainz Sr. and Carlos Sainz Jr, German drivers Hans-Joachim Stuck and Michael Schumacher, Swedish drivers Stig Blomqvist and Tommi Mäkinen.

Interesting facts about the WRC

• The World Rally Championship is the longest running rally event in the world. It has been held since 1973.
• The Finnish driver Sébastien Loeb has had the most victories in the WRC. He won 80 stages and 9 world championship titles.
• Finnish driver Kalle Rovanperä is the youngest World Rally Champion. He won the title at the age of 21 years and 290 days.
• The oldest World Rally Champion is Finnish driver Markku Alén. He won the title at the age of 41 years and 208 days.

Keep an eye on the dates of the World Rally Championship and other events in our Sporting Events Calendar.

Sandra Andreevskaya

I write about sports, marketing, and betting. I manage the sports calendar and articles, making information clear and useful for...

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