2026 FIA European Rally Championship to Open with Andalusia Rally as Seven-Round Calendar Confirmed

Córdoba, Spain: The 2026 FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) will get underway with the 43rd Andalusia Rally – Sierra Morena – Córdoba World Heritage Site from April 17–19, marking the start of a revised seven-round calendar for the sport’s premier European rally series.

Run on all-asphalt stages, the southern Spanish event replaces Rally Hungary as the season opener. Rally Hungary, which joined the ERC in 2019, will not feature on the 2026 schedule following confirmation from MNASZ, Hungary’s national motorsport federation, that internal operational issues have prevented the event from taking place.

The updated calendar has been approved by an FIA World Motor Sport Council e-vote, ensuring clarity for teams and competitors as preparations for the new season begin.

Revised 2026 ERC Calendar Confirmed

While the Rally Five Cities North of Portugal will continue as the season finale, its date has been moved to October 23–25, having originally been scheduled earlier in the month.

The full 2026 FIA European Rally Championship calendar is as follows:

• 43rd Andalusia Rally – Sierra Morena – Córdoba World Heritage Site (Spain): April 17–19 – Asphalt
• BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia (Sweden): May 22–24 – Gravel
• Rally di Roma Capitale (Italy): July 3–5 – Asphalt
• 82nd Rally Poland (Poland): July 24–26 – Asphalt
• Barum Czech Rally Zlín (Czech Republic): August 14–16 – Asphalt
• JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion (Great Britain): September 4–6 – Asphalt
• Rally Five Cities North of Portugal (Portugal): October 23–25 – Gravel

Strong Platform for the 73rd ERC Season

ERC Championship Manager Iain Campbell welcomed the decision to open the season in Córdoba, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, highlighting the promotional value and sporting challenge of the event.

“Starting the 73rd ERC season in the city of Córdoba with fantastic stages nearby is an exciting prospect and a great platform for the championship, competitors and partners,” Campbell said. “While we were looking forward to Rally Hungary hosting the ERC again, it was not possible due to internal issues affecting the event. We acted quickly to secure a strong alternative and thank the FIA, event organisers and ASNs for their support.”

Campbell added that the championship will focus on a ‘super seven’ format for 2026, with the aim of returning to an eight-event schedule in 2027.

Sporting Regulations and Entry Details

For 2026, competitors in ERC1, ERC3, ERC4, Master ERC, Teams’ and Tyre Supplier championships will count their best six results from seven rounds. Junior ERC competitors will continue to count their best five scores from six events.

The ERC Fiesta Rally3 Trophy calendar has also been revised, with Barum Czech Rally Zlín replacing Rally Hungary on the five-event schedule. The trophy will feature events in Spain, Sweden, Italy, Poland, and the Czech Republic.

Registrations for the 2026 FIA European Rally Championship, the 73rd season since its inception in 1953 and the fifth promoted by WRC Promoter, are set to open shortly via the FIA’s official online registration portal.