World Rally Championship again in Croatia and moves west 

(Photo credit: Marjan Radović)

Croatia will once again host the World Rally Championship as the WRC Croatia Rally returns from 9 to 12 April 2026, bringing the world’s elite rally drivers to the country for the fifth time.

After four editions centred around Zagreb and neighbouring counties, the rally is relocating to western Croatia, with competitive stages spread across Primorje-Gorski Kotar, Istria, Karlovac and Lika-Senj counties.

The move introduces a new geographical dimension to the event, showcasing Croatia’s coastline, hinterland and mountainous terrain.

The rally was officially presented on Tuesday in Rijeka, attended by organisers and representatives of regional and local authorities.

The ceremonial start will take place on Thursday, 9 April, on Rijeka’s Korzo, while the shakedown stage will be held in the Grobnik area. Competitive action begins on Friday with special stages in Istria, followed by stages in Primorje-Gorski Kotar and Karlovac counties on Saturday.

The rally concludes on Sunday in Senj, featuring a live Power Stage at the historic Nehaj Fortress, before the ceremonial finish and trophy presentation in Opatija.

According to Organising Committee President Daniel Šaškin, the event continues to generate the same excitement as its debut in 2021.

“The rally will run through four counties. The ceremonial start is in Rijeka, and the finish will be in Opatija. Although this is our fifth year, the excitement remains as strong as ever,” Šaškin said.

(Photo credit: WRC Croatia)

The WRC Croatia Rally is an asphalt event, traditionally attracting between 60 and 80 crews, including all leading factory teams such as Toyota Gazoo Racing, Hyundai Motorsport and M-Sport Ford. Current world champions, top international drivers and the strongest Croatian crews are expected to compete.

The service park, the central hub for vehicle maintenance and technical support, will be based in Grobnik from 8 to 12 April. In total, competitors will tackle 20 special stages across three days of racing.

Primorje-Gorski Kotar County Prefect Ivica Lukanović emphasised the significance of hosting an event of this scale.

“Four counties will have the opportunity to host a world-class sporting event. This clearly sets us apart and demonstrates what can be achieved through cooperation and excellence,” he said.

Rijeka Mayor Iva Rinčić highlighted the city’s motorsport heritage and the broader promotional value of the rally, while Senj Mayor Željko Tomljanović noted the honour of hosting the rally’s final competitive stage.

Opatija Mayor Fernando Kirigin underlined the town’s long motorsport tradition, from the historic Nice–Opatija race in 1902 to the famous Preluk circuit, making Opatija a fitting location for the rally’s ceremonial conclusion.

Over the past four years, the WRC in Croatia has attracted more than one million spectators on-site, with television coverage reaching almost 100 million viewers per season in over 160 countries.