Kalle Rovanpera confirms WRC exit for Super Formula switch in 2026
October 12, 2025
The WRC 2026 calendar will feature 14 rounds spanning four continents as the FIA World Rally Championship broadens its global appeal.
Notably absent from the confirmed 2026 calendar is the much-anticipated United States round which has been postponed amid a multi-year contract proposal to host the event in Tennessee.
The 2026 WRC season is charted to begin on the iconic streets of Monte-Carlo from January 22–25 and later head to the snow-laden forests of Sweden from February 12–15.
In March, the WRC makes its way to Africa for the legendary Safari Rally Kenya, held from March 12–15. The Safari remains an icon in the FIA World Rally Championship, defined by its epic landscapes, hazards, and unpredictable weather, making it stand out as a highlight of the calendar.
The European leg follows with back-to-back asphalt stints at Croatia Rally from April 9–12 and Rally Islas Canarias from April 23–26 trailed by Rally Portugal from May 7–10.
Meanwhile, Rally Japan moves forward in the calendar to May 28–31 in a departure from tradition. Previously scheduled as a season finale, its repositioning disrupts what would otherwise be a lengthy sequence of gravel rallies minimizing the impact of ‘road-sweeping’ for early championship leaders.
The Acropolis Rally Greece will mark the halfway point of the 2026 WRC season from June 25–28. Attention later turns northward for the ultra-fast gravel roads of Estonia (July 16–19) and Finland (July 30–August 2).
The global momentum continues in August and September with South American double-headers. Rally Paraguay runs from August 27–30, followed by Rally Chile Bio Bío from September 10–13.
Rally Italy follows on October 1–4 albeit the actual location is yet to be definitively confirmed by the WRC Promoter, while Rally Saudi Arabia marks the final event in the WRC 2026 calendar from November 11–14.
WRC 2026 calendar – FIA World Rally Championship
| Round | Rally | Dates | Surface |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rally Monte-Carlo | January 22-25 | Asphalt/Ice |
| 2 | Rally Sweden | February 12-15 | Snow |
| 3 | Safari Rally Kenya | March 12-15 | Gravel |
| 4 | Rally Croatia | April 9-12 | Asphalt |
| 5 | Rally Islas Canarias | April 23-26 | Asphalt |
| 6 | Rally Portugal | May 7-10 | Gravel |
| 7 | Rally Japan | May 28-31 | Asphalt |
| 8 | Acropolis Rally Greece | June 25-28 | Gravel |
| 9 | Rally Estonia | July 16-19 | Gravel |
| 10 | Rally Finland | July 30-August 2 | Gravel |
| 11 | Rally Paraguay | August 27-30 | Gravel |
| 12 | Rally Chile | September 10-13 | Gravel |
| 13 | Rally Italy | October 1-3 | TBC |
| 14 | Rally Saudi Arabia | November 11-14. | Gravel |
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