WRC schedules candidate event for potential United States return

The World Rally Championship is moving closer to a return to the United States, announcing a candidate event to be held from June 11-17. Taking place across Tennessee and Kentucky, the trial will be rigorously evaluated by FIA delegates against full WRC standards, covering sporting operations, safety protocols, and infrastructure. This process, conducted in partnership with the Automobile Competition Committee of the United States and promoter Podium Event Partners, is a critical step toward securing a permanent spot on the calendar for 2027.

FIA leadership views the U.S. as a vital growth market for the series, citing the country's deep-rooted motorsport culture and expanding fan engagement. Should the candidate event prove successful, it would end a long hiatus for the championship in the region, which has not hosted a WRC round since the 1988 Olympus Rally. The project team intends to use this week-long assessment to refine their operational concept and demonstrate the viability of a world-class rally in the American market.