FIA World Rally Championship 2026

Delivering epic action across the globe since 1973, the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) continues to shine a spotlight on sustainability in 2026 while also placing a firm focus on safety and performance.

At the heart of the FIA WRC is the flagship Rally1 category, which came on stream in 2022. It sits at the top of the FIA Rally Pyramid and utilises regulations developed by the FIA in partnership with the competing manufacturers – Hyundai, M-Sport (Ford) and Toyota. Significantly, Rally1 cars have been developed from three very different vehicle types – B-Class, C-Class and Compact Crossover – in keeping with the philosophy of the regulations.

Major safety gains were also achieved in the design of Rally1 machinery by using a tubular safety cell – the result of months of intensive research and development – which reduces accident intrusion by up to 50 per cent.

2026 will mark the final season of the current Rally1 technical regulations, ahead of a major regulatory overhaul for 2027 that will define the next era of the FIA World Rally Championship. The new WRC27 regulatory framework establishes a framework focused on affordability, sustainability and accessibility, while safeguarding the performance and technical challenge that define rallying at the highest level.

Following recent calendar expansion, the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship will feature a stable and established schedule, with no new rounds introduced and the welcome return of fan-favourite Rally Croatia.

The championship will consist of 14 rounds across five continents, with titles contested by drivers in Rally1, Rally2 and Rally3 cars, all running on tyres from official supplier Hankook Tire. Four rounds will be held on asphalt, nine on gravel and one on ice and snow, highlighting the varied and demanding nature of the WRC challenge.

The 2025 season thrilled fans, with Sébastien Ogier and Vincent Landais clinching the FIA World Rally Championship title at the final round of the season, while TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WRT claimed the Manufacturers’ crown.

In WRC2, Oliver Solberg and Elliott Edmondson emerged victorious, while Matteo Fontana and Alessandro Arnaboldi claimed victory in WRC3. In the WRC Masters Cup, Miguel Granados and Marc Marti took the title, while Mille Johansson secured the Junior WRC title on the last round of the season.

Titles up for grabs

FIA World Rally Championship for Drivers

FIA World Rally Championship for Co-Drivers

FIA World Rally Championship for Manufacturers

FIA World Rally Championship for Teams

FIA WRC2 Championship for Drivers

FIA WRC2 Championship for Co-Drivers

FIA WRC2 Challenger Championship for Drivers

FIA WRC2 Challenger Championship for Co-Drivers

FIA WRC2 Championship for Teams

FIA WRC Masters Cup for Drivers

FIA WRC Masters Cup for Co-Drivers

FIA WRC3 Championship for Drivers

FIA WRC3 Championship for Co-Drivers

FIA Junior WRC Championship for Drivers

FIA Junior WRC Championship for Co-Drivers

What’s new for 2026?

Mandatory Rest Periods

For 2026, mandatory rest periods will be introduced for the first time in the FIA World Rally Championship. The new regulation establishes formal definitions of competition hours and rest hours across each rally.

Minimum thresholds have been set for overnight recovery periods, with total rest hours across the rally required to be at least equal to total competition hours, with the exception of the opening day. Daily rest periods may not fall below ten hours, including at least one day providing a minimum of twelve hours of recovery time.

These measures are intended to deliver greater consistency across events and increase rest opportunities for crews, teams, officials and volunteers.

Shakedown

The regulations governing shakedown have been updated for 2026. P2, P3, P4 and non-priority drivers will be limited to a maximum of two passes of the shakedown stage.

Maximum Lateness

A new provision has been introduced limiting how late a crew may start a special stage. To enhance on-stage safety, any crew arriving more than ten minutes after the last competing car may be instructed to bypass the stage and rejoin the rally via the alternative road section.

Chicanes

New articles have been introduced to define and clarify the use and implementation of chicanes. The articles also formalise the penalties applied when a chicane element is completely displaced.

Running of Reconnaissance

For 2026, following publication of the itinerary, any person associated with an entered crew may only travel on the route of a special stage with prior authorisation from the Clerk of the Course and the FIA Road Sport Department.

Further changes have been made to reconnaissance, prohibiting crews from driving in the opposite direction of the rally on special stages, except where explicitly permitted in the supplementary regulations.

Route Note Cars

New guidance has been introduced barring route note crews from driving in the opposite direction of the rally.

Remote Service Zones

Changes have been made to Remote Service Zones, limiting each rally to a maximum of one remote service zone per event.

Engine Replacement

New rules governing engine replacement have been introduced. The updated provisions clarify the circumstances under which a competitor may replace an engine during a rally, with the exception of Rally1 cars nominated to score manufacturers’ points.

Any competitor replacing an engine will receive a 60-minute time penalty and will be ineligible to score points in any FIA Championship or Cup at that event.

Incidents on Special Stages

Additional guidance has been introduced regarding on-stage repairs. The new guidance specifies that any repairs carried out during the running of a special stage must comply with the revised provisions.

Stage Obstruction and Start Intervals

New guidance has been added for situations where a crew is substantially delayed by a car running ahead. Delays exceeding ten seconds will now be given due consideration and may be deemed substantial.

FIA WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP 2025 SUPPORT CATEGORIES EXPLAINED

Support categories are contested at all FIA World Rally Championship rounds. Catering for different budgets and levels of experience, the support categories highlight the accessible nature of WRC events of all-comers.

FIA WRC2 Championship

Flagship category for Rally2 cars on all 14 rounds of the season
Drivers and co-drivers must be registered in WRC2 with the FIA
Best six scores from seven nominated events are counted

FIA WRC2 Challenger Championship

Previous winners of the WRC2 or WRC3 titles (in Rally2 cars) cannot take part
Drivers previously nominated for WRC manufacturer points also not eligible
Best six scores from seven nominated events are considered

FIA WRC2 Championship for Teams

Teams must be registered to compete in WRC2 with the FIA
They must nominate two drivers on a maximum of seven events to score points
Points scored on five out of six rounds in Europe are counted plus points scored on a bonus seventh event outside Europe

FIA WRC3 Open Championship

Catering for Rally3 cars on all 14 rounds
Open to drivers and co-drivers registered in WRC3 with the FIA
Crews can nominate seven events on which to score points and count their best six results

FIA Junior WRC Championship

Arrive-and-drive category providing an opportunity for young drivers to build experience and showcase their ability in Ford Fiesta Rally3 cars run by M-Sport Poland on Hankook tyres
Drivers must register to compete in Junior WRC and sign the driver agreement
They must have been born on or after 01/01/96
Drivers who have competed with P1 status or nominated to score manufacturer points are not eligible

FIA WRC Masters Cup

For drivers and co-drivers registered with the FIA born on or before 01/01/75
As well as Rally2 cars, drivers can use Rally3, Rally4, Rally5, Rally5-Kit and RGT cars
Points scored on six out of seven rounds can be counted