The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations worldwide, and WRC Promoter have today unveiled the 2027 FIA Junior WRC Championship calendar, alongside a series of changes designed to make the championship more accessible and strengthen its role as a development pathway for the next generation of rally drivers.

The 2027 Junior WRC season will be contested across five European rounds, marking a significant step towards reducing the financial and logistical demands of competing at international level. With all five events taking place in Europe, the revised calendar will help limit travel and transportation costs for competitors, while maintaining a diverse range of surfaces and conditions to test and develop emerging rally talent.

The championship will begin on the snow and ice of Rally Sweden before moving to the asphalt stages of Croatia Rally. Rally d’Italia will host the third round of the season, followed by the high-speed gravel roads of Rally Finland, before the championship concludes at Rally Scotland.

Alongside the revised calendar, the FIA and WRC Promoter have introduced a series of measures aimed at reducing the cost of participation, increasing competitiveness and providing greater opportunities for young drivers to progress through the international rallying pyramid.

At the heart of these changes is a significantly expanded prize package for the 2027 Junior WRC Champion, who will receive a seven-round WRC2 programme for the 2028 season. Increased from four events in previous editions, the prize will provide the winning driver with an enhanced opportunity to gain experience and establish themselves at the next level of international rallying.

The expanded prize represents further investment in junior rallying and reinforces the Junior WRC's position as a key stepping stone towards WRC2 and, ultimately, the highest level of the FIA World Rally Championship.

Further measures to improve accessibility will see Hankook provide an allocation of free tyres to Junior WRC competitors throughout the 2027 season, helping to reduce one of the principal costs associated with competing in the championship.

Building on Hankook's existing involvement in the FIA World Rally Championship, the initiative will provide additional financial support to emerging drivers, making international rallying more accessible to up-and-coming crews.

The sporting format will also be revised for 2027, with changes designed to reward consistent performance and maintain a competitive championship battle throughout the season.

While points from all five rallies will contribute towards the Championship standings, each crew's best four event results will count towards the final classification. Participation in the final round at Rally Scotland will be compulsory for crews to qualify for the Championship classification.

The previous double-points format for the season finale will also be removed, with Rally Scotland awarding standard Championship points in line with the other four rounds.

Together, these changes will further strengthen Junior WRC’s position as the world’s premier development championship for emerging rally talent, providing a more accessible and competitive pathway towards the highest levels of international rallying.

FIA Deputy President for Sport, Malcolm Wilson OBE, said: “The changes we have introduced to the Junior WRC alongside our partners at WRC Promoter represent a significant step forward in making the championship more accessible and competitive, while further strengthening its position as the world’s leading development programme for emerging rally talent.

“One of my key targets has been to make the FIA World Rally Championship more accessible and affordable for competitors at every level, and the changes we have introduced to the Junior WRC for 2027 represent another important step towards making that vision a reality.

“A key part of these changes is the expanded prize package for the Junior WRC Champion, which will now provide a seven-round WRC2 programme. This will give the winning driver more time to adapt to the increased performance of WRC2 machinery, gain valuable experience and establish themselves at the next level. We want to give the next generation of rally talent the opportunity not only to progress through the sport, but to make their mark on the international stage.”

WRC Promoter Chief Operating Officer, Julien Vial, said: “From Sébastien Loeb to Elfyn Evans to Sami Pajari, we cannot understate the role of the FIA Junior WRC in breeding the next generation of world rally champions, making it a cornerstone of the WRC. This is why, the prize package is better than ever with the winner receiving seven drives in a Rally2 on WRC rounds in 2028 - highlighting our commitment to providing a clear pathway for young drivers to the elite level of our sport.

“I am also excited that the United Kingdom is back to host the final round for the first time since 2019, with the varying autumn conditions expected in Scotland set to bring an entire additional element to the championship.”

Junior WRC Director, Maciej Woda, said: “I’m so happy with the work we have done with the FIA and the WRC Promoter, to significantly improve the package for the Junior WRC for 2027. 
 
“I would like to offer my thanks for this collaboration, and to share my thanks for the support from the partners of the series, we can now offer a massive next step for the Junior WRC Champion.

“The 2027 Junior WRC will be cheaper than it was in 2026 and will offer a much higher prize for the winner. The seven WRC2 events package, which the 2027 Junior WRC Champion will receive, proves that the Junior WRC is by far the only junior series in motorsport, where you can win much more than what you need to invest in the Junior season and we, as M-Sport Poland,  are very proud to be a part of this Championship.”