Here is some stunning news for anyone who lives and breathes this sport: as Motorsport.com reports, Argentina is officially locked in for a World Rally Championship return in 2028. Yes, the legendary gravel roads are coming back. After a painful absence since 2019—aside from a planned 2020 edition that fell victim to the coronavirus pandemic—the championship is heading back to South American soil through a multi-year deal signed with the Government of Cordoba, the country's second-largest city.
Let us not forget the pedigree here. From 1980 through 2019, missing only 1995 and 2010, those brutal rocky stages formed the beating heart of the calendar. Now, Cordoba's Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes is set to house the service park, and work is already underway on a route that could bring back iconic stages like El Condor. Before the main show in 2028, the FIA will observe a candidate event planned for March next year as part of the FIA CODASUR Rally Championship.
WRC Promoter CEO Eric Boullier captured the sentiment perfectly, noting that few events match the atmosphere or the fan passion in Cordoba. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who previously championed the return back in September, highlighted the nation's remarkable terrain and his own personal memories of competing in Cordoba.
Meanwhile, the wider regional picture remains in motion. Chile and Paraguay both feature on the 2027 schedule, though Paraguay's status has hit recent turbulence following the collapse of its title sponsor Ueno Bank and the removal of president Santiago Pena. Even so, the FIA confirms that preparations for next season's event from 21-24 October continue as planned, with local reports indicating confidence in securing a new backer. For now, though, mark your calendars for 2028—one of the championship's true spiritual homes is finally coming home.
