Here is the news we have been waiting for: the World Rally Championship has officially approved a massive, landmark 15-round calendar for the 2027 season. Approved by the FIA World Motor Sport Council, this schedule bridges the gap between legendary traditional fixtures and massive new destinations as the championship charges headfirst into the era of the WRC27 technical regulations.
Let us talk about those monumental returns first. Rally US is officially scheduled for 26 - 29 August, marking the championship's first trip to the United States since 1988. This is a huge swing for international growth, opening up a massive automotive market and handing manufacturer partner Ford a vital platform alongside broadcasters, commercial stakeholders, and American fans. But that is not all. The United Kingdom is back for the first time since 2019 with Rally Scotland, locked in for 30 September - 3 October. Developed alongside Motorsport UK and backed by the Scottish Government and local authorities, this Aberdeen-based event brings the WRC right back to a deeply passionate fanbase and showcases those legendary Scottish forest roads to the entire globe. On top of that, Rally d’Italia joins the calendar from 8 - 11 July, stepping up from the FIA European Rally Championship to bring thrilling asphalt stages through the Lazio region and a spectacular historic finish in Rome.
Between the new giants, the calendar keeps its soul by retaining plenty of traditional fixtures. Things kick off with Rallye Monte-Carlo from 21 - 24 January, before heading straight into Sweden and Safari Rally Kenya. A trio of consecutive asphalt rounds follows via Croatia, the Canary Islands, and Japan, before the EKO Acropolis Rally Greece opens up the European summer gravel run. Estonia and Finland then slam together for a back-to-back pairing of speed and spectacle, keeping innovative formats alive through Estonia's condensed programme and Finland's fan-focused Super Sunday concept. South America gets its own spotlight via a Paraguay and Chile double-header, and Rally Saudi Arabia handles the season finale from 25 - 28 November.
All of this is designed to host the global debut of the WRC27 technical regulations, which are built entirely to cut costs, widen participation, and open doors for both manufacturers and independent constructors.
Éric Boullier, CEO of WRC Promoter, spoke on the vision: “2027 represents the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the World Rally Championship, and this calendar reflects our ambition to build a stronger, more accessible and truly global championship. Returning to the United States and United Kingdom, alongside bringing the WRC to an iconic destination such as Rome, creates tremendous opportunities for our manufacturers, commercial partners and fans. Combined with the introduction of new technical regulations, we have a unique opportunity to shape the future of the WRC, attract new investment and bring the excitement of rallying to more people around the world.”
Julien Vial, COO of WRC Promoter, added: “Our vision is to build a championship that combines the unique sporting challenges of rallying with world-class events capable of engaging audiences around the globe. This calendar reflects that ambition, with a diverse mix of events, surfaces and destinations across five continents. Working closely with our organisers and partners, we want to continue raising the standard of our events and delivering an exceptional experience for fans, competitors and stakeholders.”
Finally, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA, shared his thoughts: “The 2027 FIA World Rally Championship calendar reflects the strong momentum behind the WRC, with new events in the United Kingdom and Italy strengthening the Championship in countries with a proud rallying heritage, while the United States gives us an exciting opportunity to grow in a country where interest in rallying continues to rise. With the introduction of the WRC27 technical regulations, a new promoter thanks to the deal of the century that will bring long-term investment and ambition to the championship, and a strong global calendar, the future of rallying is extremely bright.”
