Evolution rather than revolution has been the target for next year's European Rally Championship
Photography by Red Bull
Words by Luke Barry
There’s minor changes to the European Rally Championship calendar for 2026, including the return of Portugal and a switch of surface in Poland.
As was the case in 2023, the season will begin in Hungary (March 20-22) before a trip to Spain and Rally Sierra Morena (April 17-19).
Sweden’s Royal Rally of Scandinavia (May 22-24) shifts to a Friday-Sunday format rather than Thursday-Saturday but remains as the third round before Rally di Roma Capitale (July 3-5) which features in the ERC for one more year before being added to the World Rally Championship schedule in 2027.
Rally Poland (July 24-26) effectively becomes Rally Silesia, with a move from gravel to Tarmac roads as the event shifts base from Mikołajki to Katowice. Two more Tarmac events follow in Barum Rally Zlín (August 14-16) and Rali Ceredigion (September 4-6) before the season finale in Portugal.
Rally Five Cities North of Portugal (October 9-11) is essentially the new name for Rally Serras de Fafe, which opened the ERC back in 2023.
Hungary will be the new season-opener, with Junior ERC beginning in Sweden
Junior ERC will once more feature six rounds, starting from Royal Rally of Scandinavia.
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. We can’t wait to get started.”
FIA road sport director Emilia Abel added: “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.”
Words:Luke Barry
Publish Date October 16, 2025 DirtFish
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