ERC
Revved and refreshed 2026 ERC calendar revealed
Five rounds on asphalt and three more on gravel will provide the challenge and spectacle following confirmation of a refreshed FIA European Rally Championship calendar for 2026.
The excitement-filled schedule includes new opening and deciding events, the return of two favourites from the recent and not-so-recent past, plus established and emerging rallies.
It all kicks off with Rally Hungary (20 - 22 March) when drivers take on rough and tough gravel stages close to host city Veszprém.
Spain is next for the 43rd Andalusia Rally - Sierra Morena - Córdoba World Heritage Site (17 - 19 April), a popular all-asphalt addition to the ERC schedule in 2025 based in the southern city of Córdoba.
Rally Hungary opens the season
© ERC
From Spain, the chase for ERC success heads north to Sweden where the city of Karlstad hosts the fourth running of BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia (22 - 24 May). While it’s now a Friday-Sunday contest rather than a Thursday-Saturday affair, the high-speed, smooth gravel roads are fast becoming part of ERC folklore.
BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia also forms the first of six FIA Junior ERC Championship rounds.
Rally di Roma Capitale makes its 10th and final appearance on the ERC title trail before it joins the FIA World Rally Championship roster from 2027, subject to FIA World Motor Sport Council approval. The sealed-surface showpiece is due to run from 3 - 5 July with an all-new route being readied by the event organisers as they build up to the WRC’s first planned visit.
The 43rd Andalusia Rally - Sierra Morena - Córdoba World Heritage Site
© ERC
For the first time since 2004, Rally Poland will use asphalt-only stages when the 82nd edition takes place from 24 - 26 July. The change of surface from gravel to asphalt also coincides with a move back down south as Katowice, which hosted Rally Silesia – Poland’s ERC counter in 2024, takes over from Mikołajki as the event hub.
The ERC stays on Tarmac for round six of the season when it ventures 200 kilometres southwest for the 55th Barum Czech Rally Zlín (14 - 16 August). The event hosted the ERC for the first time in 1984 and has enjoyed an almost unbroken stay on the calendar since.
JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion is up next from 4 - 6 September with the spectacular landscape of West Wales providing not only a stunning backdrop, but sensational asphalt stages as well.
Rally Five Cities North of Portugal is essentially the new name for Rally Serras de Fafe, which is back as an ERC round for the first time since 2023. Based out of the town of Fafe, 70 kilometres northeast of Porto, the gravel-based season showdown runs from 9 - 11 October and will include the iconic and spectacular Pedra Sentada jump.
Rally Five Cities North of Portugal closes out the year
© ERC
All rounds count for the 2026 FIA European Rally Championship for Drivers, Co-Drivers, Teams and Tyre Suppliers, plus the FIA ERC3 Championship for Drivers and Co-Drivers, the FIA ERC4 Championship for Drivers and Co-Drivers and the driver-only FIA Master ERC Championship, although competitors must drop their worst score out of a possible eight.
The FIA Junior ERC Championship begins on BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia and includes the five rounds scheduled thereafter – Rally di Roma Capitale, 82nd Rally Poland, Barum Czech Rally Zlín, JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion and Rally Five Cities North of Portugal – for a total of four events on asphalt and two on gravel. Drivers count their best five results.
ERC championship manager Iain Campbell said: “As we do every season, we’ve carefully considered what works best for the competitors in terms of the frequency and location of the events, while also avoiding making too many changes in order to provide stability. We hope the ERC calendar for 2026 achieves our aims with a refreshed rather than a fully reworked schedule. The adjustments include restoring Rally Hungary to the opening event of the season, Rally Poland returning to asphalt from gravel and Fafe’s comeback, not only as the final round of 2026, but also under the new name of Rally Five Cities North of Portugal. We are also very pleased to include BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia as round one of the six-event Junior ERC season. We can’t wait to get started.”
FIA Road Sport director Emilia Abel said: “The 2026 FIA European Rally Championship calendar strikes a good balance between stability and progress. It provides competitors with a consistent foundation while continuing to evolve in ways that strengthen the championship as a whole. By combining long-standing events with returning rallies, we’re adding variety and excitement to the season. This approach ensures the ERC remains a vital step in the FIA Rally Pyramid and an essential platform for developing future talent.”
FIA European Rally Championship calendar 2026
Event
Date
Surface
Rally Hungary
20 - 22 March
Gravel
43rd Andalusia Rally - Sierra Morena - Cordoba World Heritage Site
17 - 19 April
Asphalt
BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia
22 - 24 May
Gravel
Rally di Roma Capitale
3 - 5 July
Asphalt
82nd Rally Poland
24 - 26 July
Asphalt
Barum Czech Rally Zlín
14 - 16 August
Asphalt
JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion
4 - 6 September
Asphalt
Rally Five Cities North of Portugal
9 - 11 October
Gravel
