The FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) is set to return to the United Kingdom after several years away, with a new event scheduled to take place in Scotland beginning in 2027.
The event, known as Rally Scotland, will mark the first time the world championship returns to British soil since the end of Wales Rally GB in 2019.
Organisers say the rally will run under a three-year agreement from 2027 to 2029, signalling a major comeback for one of motorsport’s most passionate fan bases.
The return of the WRC to the UK has been welcomed by rally enthusiasts and motorsport stakeholders who have long pushed for Britain to regain its place on the championship calendar.
According to organisers, Rally Scotland will be centred in Aberdeen, a city located in north-east Scotland. The rally’s service park, media centre and operational headquarters will be based at the P&J Live, one of the largest event venues in the region.
Competitive stages are expected to run across Aberdeenshire and neighbouring areas, taking advantage of the region’s rugged landscapes, forest tracks and gravel roads.
These conditions are considered ideal for rally racing and are expected to provide a challenging environment for drivers and teams competing in the championship.
Organisers believe the Scottish terrain will deliver a spectacular event while showcasing the region’s natural scenery to global audiences.
The United Kingdom has a rich history in the World Rally Championship. For decades, the country hosted one of the sport’s most iconic rounds through Wales Rally GB, which was a regular part of the WRC calendar from the championship’s inaugural season in 1973.
However, the event was last held in 2019 before being dropped from the schedule due to financial challenges and organisational difficulties.
Hosting a WRC round requires substantial funding and logistical support, and organisers struggled to secure long-term backing to keep the rally on the calendar.
The disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic also affected global motorsport schedules, further delaying any immediate return of the championship to the UK.
As a result, the country has been absent from the WRC calendar for several years, leaving British rally fans without a home event.
Efforts to bring the WRC back to Britain gained momentum when motorsport authorities and local governments in Scotland began developing a new proposal for a rally in the region.
The initiative was led by Motorsport UK, the governing body for motorsport in the United Kingdom, working in partnership with regional authorities and tourism bodies.
The proposal highlighted Scotland’s rally heritage, its established network of forest roads and the potential economic benefits of hosting a world championship event.
In addition to tourism, organisers say the event will provide global exposure for the region as rally stages and landscapes are broadcast to millions of viewers internationally.
Officials have also emphasised the opportunity to inspire the next generation of motorsport fans and competitors in the UK.
The introduction of Rally Scotland is expected to bring a unique challenge to competitors in the championship. Scottish rally stages are known for their fast gravel roads, unpredictable weather and narrow forest routes.