WRC reveals 2027 calendar: World Rally returns to the UK and U.S next year
The World Rally Championship (WRC) has finally announced the 2027 calendar, which sees the return of rallies in the U.S and UK as part of a 15-round season.
The WRC is in an interesting place at the moment, with new technical regulations set for next season, a brand new calendar and coverage available on the BBC for UK viewers starting next year. The WRC is also making a return to both the UK and the U.S next year, with the Rally championship becoming increasingly popular around the world.
The championship is increasing the number of rounds going into next year, with 13 rallies across 2026 being expanded to 15 rounds in 2027. However, whilst the UK and U.S will join the calendar, along with Saudi Arabia, the Portuguese round has now been dropped from the calendar.
The Portuguese round had been a regular feature on the WRC calendar since 1973, but the rally will not go ahead in 2027. The rally was initially set to move it's base from Matosinhos to Viseu, but a statement last month by the event organisers confirmed that the rally would not happen next year.
Despite the Portuguese rally round being dropped for 2027, the event organisers did confirm that there are discussions to get the WRC back in Portugal for the 2028 season.
The 2027 season begins in Monaco from the 21st-24th January, with the iconic rally in the snow. The Monte Carlo rally is often considered the flagship event of the WRC, the jewel in the crown of the championship in the same way that the 24 Hours of Le Mans is the flagship event of the World Endurance Championship.
Almost a month later, the championship returns to Sweden, before then heading to Kenya in mid-March. The opening few rounds of the season offer a sharp contrast in terrain, from the snow in Monaco and Sweden to the tricky gravel and dust of Kenya.
The championship really begins to heat up going into the summer, with four rallies across two months, June and July. In late August, the WRC makes a long-awaited return to America, racing there for the first time since 1988. The last time the championship raced in the U.S, Ronald Reagan was the president of the country and the first Die Hard film was released.
In early October, the WRC returns to the UK for the first time since 2019. Rally Scotland will take place in Aberdeen, taking the drivers through the interesting Scottish forest roads. With the event taking place in Autumn, the drivers may also face tricky conditions with wet weather.
Rallies in Paraguary, Chile and Saudi Arabia close out the 2027 championship campaign, despite Saudi Arabia being dropped from the 2026 calendar just one month ago due to the conflict in the Middle East. Formula One also had to cancel their plans to race in Saudi Arabia earlier this year in April due to the same reason.
The WRC will certainly be one of the most interesting motorsport championships next season, with drivers needing to adapt to new locations and a busier schedule than usual.
Comments