That is a proper punch to the gut for rally traditionalists. According to Speedcafe, Rally Portugal has been sensationally axed from the 2027 FIA World Rally Championship calendar at the absolute last minute.
Here is the thing: this legendary event has been run annually since 1967 and even formed part of the inaugural world championship back in 1973. It kept its place continuously until 2001, ran outside of the WRC between 2002 and 2006, and returned in 2007. Aside from a one-year hiatus in 2008 and the canceled COVID-19 season of 2020, it has been a permanent fixture ever since.
Now, it is gone for 2027. The shocking omission was revealed in a statement from the event organisers, Automovel Club de Portugal (ACP). They pointed the finger squarely at the championship promoter, explaining that changes were made on the very final day of preparations to make the calendar as geographically diverse and intercontinental as possible.
The Vodafone Rally de Portugal was slated to run between May 13th and 16th, and it was sitting pretty on a multi-year contract that extended all the way through to 2028.
Thankfully, the story does not necessarily end in total despair. ACP confirmed that initial talks have already taken place with the WRC promoter to evaluate the possibility of bringing the beloved rally back to the world championship in 2028.
Meanwhile, the upcoming 2027 FIA World Rally Championship calendar is anticipated to feature brand new rallies in Scotland and the United States as part of a broader, aggressive push to globalise the series. Next year's calendar itself has not even been officially announced yet, amid a wider change in promoters, but one thing is certain: Portugal will not feature on it.
