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Canary Islands to host WRC in 2025 in new two-year deal
Rally Islas Canarias, a fixture on the European Rally Championship since 2016, will move to the WRC calendar for 2025 and 2026 pending approval from the World Motor Sport Council. This shift follows a move by the WRC to elevate Tet Rally Latvia and Rally Poland from the ERC to the WRC this year. The return of Spain to the WRC is certain, taking place after Rally Catalunya was removed from the calendar following the 2022 edition.
The CEO of the event promoter, Club Deportivo Todo Sport, German Morales, expressed that bringing Rally Islas Canarias to the WRC has been a long-awaited achievement resulting from years of effort by multiple generations. WRC Promoter managing director Jona Seibel praised the rally management team’s abilities and is confident in their capacity to host the rally on the WRC calendar next year.
The announcement comes amidst a significant interest from various countries to become part of the WRC calendar, with Saudi Arabia, Ireland, Paraguay, and Argentina vying for a place in the 2025 schedule. Plans for the championship to expand to 14 events next year are in motion, with discussions ongoing about which event Rally Islas Canarias will replace. Ireland’s bid is contingent on securing 15 million euros in government funding, while the USA aims for a spot in the championship in 2026.
