FIA’s 2027 World Rally Championship calendar is now available, expanding to 15 events for the first time since 2008 and signalling record demand for the new Rally1 era.
Historic Returns and New Horizons
Three fresh venues enter the roster: the United Kingdom hosts its first WRC gravel event since 2019, scheduled 30 September‑3 October in Scotland; the United States re‑enters with a gravel challenge around Knoxville for 26 – 29 August; and Rome’s asphalt streets adopt the Italian round, moving from Sardinia and shifting to July 8‑11.
Kenya’s Survival Under a Private‑Sector Deal
Safari Rally Kenya, which had faced withdrawal after its 2026 contract, secured its March 18‑21 date thanks to a joint effort by the FIA, the promoter, and the national ASN. While the financial model remains undisclosed, officials highlighted that government backing and a private‑sector takeover have preserved the event.
Portugal Drops, Season Launches at Monte Carlo
Portugal will miss the 2027 calendar, although organisers hint at a possible return in 2028. The season opens with Monte Carlo (21‑24 January) before heading to Sweden’s snowy stages (18‑21 February) and then Kenya again. Four tarmac events – Croatia, Canary Islands, Japan, and Rome – bookend a block of gravel but run consecutively.
Running Order and Final Gravel Wall
An 8‑event gravel stretch concludes the season, beginning with back‑to‑back legs in Estonia (22‑25 July) and Finland (29 July‑1 August), followed by the United States, Scotland, Paraguay, Chile, and the finale in Saudi Arabia on 25‑28 November.
Strategic Implications for the WRC’s Future
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem noted that the 2027 calendar marks a pivotal moment: new venues in rallying heartlands, fresh technical regulations, and a promoter deal poised to secure long‑term investment, all reinforcing rallying’s global trajectory.
"