WRC Safari Rally set for March 15 as FIA confirms 2026 calendar

The 2026 calendar, released by the FIA, sees Kenya listed as the third round of the season, following Monte Carlo (January 25) and Sweden (February 15).

Kenya will host its gravel rally just a month later, continuing its legacy as one of the most challenging and picturesque events on the WRC roster.

Kenya’s place in the WRC has been under a renewed deal since 2020, with the original five-year contract extended by one more year, making 2026 a potentially decisive year for the future of the rally in the country.

The full calendar also includes notable rounds in Croatia, Spain, Portugal, Japan, Greece, and new-season closers in Chile, Italy, and Saudi Arabia on November 15.

The season begins with Rallye Monte-Carlo from 22 - 25 January, with crews tackling France’s icy alpine roads in one of rallying’s most iconic settings.

A spectacular street stage in downtown Monte Carlo on Saturday evening adds extra drama and glamour to an already demanding weekend.

It’s the start of a calendar that blends snow, gravel and asphalt events - including returning rounds in the Canary Islands and Paraguay following their introductions in 2025 - before culminating in the desert terrain of Saudi Arabia from 11 - 14 November.

Notably, the opening half of the year brings a welcome mix of surfaces. Asphalt rallies in Croatia, the Canary Islands and Japan complement the snow of Sweden and gravel outings in Kenya and Portugal, ensuring variety from the very start of the season.

Crucially, the decision to reposition Rally Japan into a May slot adds a meaningful sporting benefit.

By interrupting what would otherwise be a long sequence of gravel rallies, the move helps to limit the impact of road sweeping for early championship leaders - reinforcing WRC’s commitment to fairer, more competitive conditions.

“This is a calendar built with purpose,” said WRC Promoter Managing Director Jona Siebel. “It’s diverse, it flows well, and it reflects the feedback we’ve had from teams, drivers and stakeholders. We’ve put real thought into how the sequence of events can impact the sporting fight.”

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: "The 2026 WRC calendar is a powerful reflection of the championship’s global strength and appeal. It combines the heritage of iconic rallies with the return of newer events in regions where participation and interest in rallying continues to grow.”

The full 2026 FIA World Rally Championship calendar is listed below:

1.      2026 WRC Calendar

2.      1 Rallye Monte-Carlo 22 - 25 January

3.      2 Rally Sweden 12 - 15 February

4.      3Safari Rally Kenya 12 - 15 March

5.      4 Croatia Rally 9 - 12 April

6.      5 Rally Islas Canarias 23 - 26 April

7.      6 Vodafone Rally de Portugal 7 - 10 May

8.      7 Rally Japan 28 - 31 May

9.      8 EKO Acropolis Rally 25 - 28 June

10.  9 Rally Estonia 16 - 19 July

11.  10 Secto Rally Finland 30 July - 2 August

12.  11 Ueno Rally del Paraguay 27 - 30 August

13.  12 Rally Chile Bio Bío 10 - 13 September

14.  13 Rally Italia 1 - 4 October

15.  14 Rally Saudi Arabia 11 - 14 November