Here is the news we have been waiting for: the WRC is officially heading back to the United States for the first time since 1988, and the stage is set for an absolute beast of an event. Taking place from 26 - 29 August, the upcoming gravel rally is laying out a massive route covering more than 15 counties across Tennessee and Kentucky. Crews are going to face a relentless mix of fast gravel roads, technical forest sections, and dramatic elevation changes stretching all the way from the Appalachian Mountains to the Cumberland Plateau.
Now, the logistics are just as serious as the terrain. Knoxville is taking on the role of rally headquarters, housing the WRC Arena right at World's Fair Park and the Knoxville Convention Center. This central hub is designed to bring the teams' base and a dedicated fan festival together in one place, giving spectators a proper gathering point away from the dust of the stages.
It is a nation where motor sport is part of the cultural DNA, with world-class domestic championships and a rapidly growing appetite for global competition.
Everything kicks off in style with a ceremonial start on Nashville's Lower Broadway, setting the tone for an extensive entertainment programme. Fans can expect live music, driver appearances, and community celebrations stretching across East Tennessee and Eastern Kentucky alongside the action at the WRC Arena.
“The United States has long been a priority for the WRC,” said Éric Boullier, CEO of WRC Promoter. “Knoxville and the roads of Tennessee and Kentucky give us a spectacular, challenging setting, and a passionate home for our teams, manufacturers and fans as we begin this new chapter in America.”
The ambition behind this event is massive, aiming to deliver far more than just a standard competition. Rally US President and CEO Matt Crews emphasized the sheer scale of the undertaking. “When the FIA and WRC Promoter put America back on the calendar, we set out to deliver far more than a race: an event experience, from Broadway to the Appalachian Mountains, that rivals any festival in the world and puts our state on a global stage like no other,” he noted.
Meanwhile, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem pointed to the sheer weight of the American market for the championship's future growth. “The United States represents one of the most important growth opportunities for the FIA World Rally Championship,” he stated. “It is a nation where motor sport is part of the cultural DNA, with world-class domestic championships and a rapidly growing appetite for global competition.”
