Croatia hosted its first WRC rally in 2021, and the event remained on the WRC calendar until this season.
The goal of the Croatian organisers was to secure a place in the WRC series for the 2025 season, but the state could not guarantee the necessary financial support in time. However, the tarmac rally will make its return to the WRC in 2026.
The organisers of Croatia Rally officially announced the news on Thursday.
“We have officially signed a contract with the WRC Promoter for organizing the European Rally Championship (ERC) in 2025 and the World Rally Championship (WRC) in 2026 and 2027,” the rally organisation stated.
The ERC rally in Croatia will be held next October. Meanwhile, the WRC event in 2026 is scheduled for April, as in previous years.
In October, the Croatian government announced a substantial support package for the rally. The state will provide up to €4.4 million over the next three years for the event’s organisation. Of this support, €400,000 will be allocated to next year’s ERC rally, while €2 million per year is earmarked for the WRC rounds.
Next year, Croatia’s place on the calendar will be taken by the Canary Islands’ tarmac event, which will be held in Gran Canaria in April. The Canary Islands also have a contract to host a WRC event in 2026, so a new date will likely need to be found for that year.
The 2024 season finale will be held next week in Japan.
