The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motorsport and the federation for mobility organizations worldwide, is accelerating plans for the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) to return to the United States, with the announcement of a WRC candidate event scheduled for mid-2026.
Organized in collaboration with the Automobile Competition Committee of the United States (ACCUS), the candidate event, running from June 11-17, will see FIA delegates conduct a thorough inspection and assessment of every aspect of rally organization, from sporting operations to safety protocols. The goal of this event is to evaluate the potential for hosting a full WRC round in the U.S. starting in 2027, organization officials stated in a press release.
Delegates will explore stages and infrastructure across Kentucky and Tennessee, gaining first-hand insight into the terrain and facilities. The program will also include a visit to a round of the American Rally Association (ARA) National Championship, offering the FIA team a chance to engage directly with the U.S. rally community, including organizers, volunteers and fans, and meetings with the proposed event promoter and organizer, Podium Event Partners, which has long-established experience across multiple motorsport disciplines, including NASCAR.
Rallying in the USA
A successful candidate event would pave the way for the United States to rejoin the WRC calendar in 2027, marking a milestone for both the championship and rallying in the country.
With a deep-rooted history in the United States, rallying has seen a renewed momentum in recent years, driven by grassroots participation and the strength of the ARA National Championship. This vibrant rally culture provides a solid foundation for a world-class WRC event, noted the release.
The potential return of the WRC to the U.S. reflects the joint ambition of FIA and WRC Promoter to expand its global footprint in a country with a rich motorsport heritage and a growing appetite for rallying, opening a thrilling new chapter in the world’s premier rally series, officials said.
Speaking ahead of the event, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said, “The United States represents one of the most important growth opportunities for the FIA World Rally Championship. It is a nation where motorsport is part of the cultural DNA, with world-class domestic championships and a rapidly growing appetite for global competition. I am deeply committed to strengthening the FIA’s presence in the U.S. and ensuring that rallying becomes a defining pillar of that future.
“With five FIA-sanctioned events already established across three FIA World Championships across the nation, the foundations are firmly in place. Now is the time to build on that momentum. Expanding the WRC into North America would not only enhance the championship’s global reach, but connect rallying with a knowledgeable, passionate and expanding fanbase in a market where participation and engagement continue to accelerate and grow.”