The Canary Islands have previously hosted a round of the European Rally Championship (ERC), but this year Gran Canaria will host WRC festivities for the first time. The inaugural Rally Canary Islands in the World Rally Championship will take place from 24–27 April.
The organisers have published the first rally guide, which outlines the event’s programme, although exact timings have not yet been confirmed. The rally headquarters will be based in Las Palmas, the capital of Gran Canaria. On Thursday, the opening day, the programme includes only a 6.40-kilometre shakedown stage in Santa Brígida, located near the capital.
On Friday, the rally caravan will head towards the island’s central region, tackling the Valsequillo and Velleseco-Artenara stages. The final stage of the loop will be driven in the southwest, just north of the famous holiday destinations of Puerto Rico and Playa de Mogán. The three-stage loop will be run twice, with the day’s total special stage distance amounting to over 123 kilometres.
Saturday offers slightly more stage kilometres than Friday. In the island’s northern region, a three-stage loop will also be run twice, including the Moya-Gáldar, Firgas-Teror, and Tejeda-San Mateo stages. The day concludes with a short spectator stage in Las Palmas.
The rally’s final day, Sunday, features five stages. In the southern part of the island, the Agüimes-Santa Lucía stage will be run twice, as will a longer stage near the famous Maspalomas beach. The second run in Maspalomas will also serve as the rally-ending Power Stage. Additionally, the day includes a shorter spectator stage situated right next to the sandy beach.
Rally Canary Islands, locally known as Rally Islas Canarias, has been held since 1977. Since 2010, the event was initially part of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC) and later the European Rally Championship (ERC). The rally has secured an agreement to host a WRC round again in 2026.
Rally Islas Canarias Itinerary (CET):
Thursday 24.4.
10.01 Shakedown: Santa Brígida (6,40 km)
Friday 25.4.
SS1: Valsequillo 1 (26,32 km)
SS2: Velleseco - Artenara 1 (17,39 km)
SS3: La Aldea - Mogán 1 (17,83 km )
SS4: Valsequillo 1 (26,32 km)
SS5: Velleseco - Artenara 2 (17,39 km)
SS6: La Aldea - Mogán 2 (17,83 km )
Saturday 26.4.
SS7: Moya - Gáldar 1 (25,64 km)
SS8: Firgas - Teror 1 (13,64 km)
SS9: Tejeda - San Mateo 1 (23,30 km)
SS10: Moya - Gáldar 2 (25,64 km)
SS11: Firgas - Teror 2 (13,64 km)
SS12: Tejeda - San Mateo 2 (23,30 km)
SS13: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (1,80 km)
Sunday 27.4.
SS14: Agüimes - Santa Lucía 1 (13,82 km)
SS15: Maspalomas 1 (13,47 km)
SS16: Maspalomas - Costa Canaria (1,50 km)
SS17: Agüimes - Santa Lucía 2 (13,82 km)
SS18: Maspalomas 1 (13,47 km) *Power Stage
