The World Rally Championship (WRC) expands in 2027 with a calendar of 15 events, including the return of the United States and the United Kingdom, an increase not seen since 2008. This decision responds to the high demand and growing interest in hosting rallies.
After a series of successful candidate events this year, at least three new venues have been confirmed to join the calendar. Scotland has signed a three-year agreement to bring the WRC back to the United Kingdom for the first time since 2019, with the rally scheduled from September 30 to October 3.
The competition will also return to the United States from August 26 to 29, with a new gravel rally taking place in Knoxville, Tennessee, after not appearing on the calendar since 1988. This event represents a key step for the WRC in its effort to penetrate the North American market.
The third new venue is the move of the Italian round from Sardinia to continental Italy, where the Rally di Roma Capitale will host the competition, changing its date from October to a more traditional summer slot, from July 8 to 11.
Although concerns had been raised about the future of the Safari Rally in Kenya, the organization has managed to maintain its date in March, passing the responsibility of its promotion to the private sector. The FIA has confirmed that despite financial challenges, an agreement has been reached that secures the event.
Portugal has been left off the calendar, although there are hopes it may return in 2028. The season will begin in Monte Carlo, followed by Sweden, the Safari Rally in Kenya, and will continue with three asphalt rallies in Croatia, the Canary Islands, and Japan.
The president of the FIA, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, has highlighted that this calendar reflects the energy surrounding the WRC, with new events expanding the reach of the championship. The future of the WRC looks promising with new technical regulations and increased investment support.
WRC 2027 Calendar
- 1. Rally Monte-Carlo – (Mixed surface) – January 21-24
- 2. Rally Sweden – (Snow) – February 18-21
- 3. Safari Rally Kenya – (Gravel) – March 18-21
- 4. Croatia Rally – (Asphalt) – April 8-11
- 5. Rally Canary Islands – (Asphalt) – May 6-9
- 6. Rally Japan – (Asphalt) – June 3-6
- 7. Acropolis Rally Greece – (Gravel) – June 24-27
- 8. Rally of Italy – (Asphalt) – July 8-11
- 9. Rally Estonia – (Gravel) – July 22-25
- 10. Rally Finland – (Gravel) – July 29-August 1
- 11. Rally USA – (Gravel) – August 26-29
- 12. Rally Scotland – (Gravel) – September 30-October 3
- 13. Rally Paraguay – (Gravel) – October 21-24
- 14. Rally Chile Biobío – (Gravel) – November 4-7
- 15. Rally Saudi Arabia – (Gravel) – November 25-28
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
SourceID: SRC_ba08fae07bf688e9eef127a9ce0f3110aec44a50