DUBAI: The International Automobile Federation is stepping up plans for the FIA World Rally Championship to return to the US, with the announcement of a WRC candidate event for mid-2026.

The event will run from June 11-17 and has been organized in collaboration with the US Automobile Competition Committee. FIA delegates at the event will assess every aspect of rally organization, from sporting operations to safety protocols.

The goal is to evaluate the potential for hosting a full WRC round, and a successful event will pave the way for the US to rejoin the WRC calendar in 2027, marking a milestone for both the championship and rallying in the country.

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said that the US represents one of the most important growth opportunities for the FIA World Rally Championship.

“It is a nation where motor sport 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 US and ensuring that rallying becomes a defining pillar of that future,” he said.

“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.”

FIA delegates will inspect the candidate event’s stages and infrastructure in 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 National Championship, offering the FIA team a chance to engage directly with the US rally community, including organizers, volunteers, and fans.

Delegates will meet with the proposed event promoter and organizer, Podium Event Partners, which has long-established experience across multiple motor sport disciplines, including NASCAR.

With a deep-rooted history in the US, rallying has seen a renewed momentum in recent years driven by grassroots participation and the strength of the ARA National Championship.

The potential return of the WRC to the US reflects the joint ambition of FIA and WRC Promoter to expand its global footprint in a country with a rich motor sport heritage and a growing appetite for rallying, opening a thrilling new chapter in the world’s premier rally series.

FIA Deputy President for Sport Malcolm Wilson said that confirmation of a FIA World Rally Championship candidate event in the US is a first step toward bringing the championship to the country, offering a valuable opportunity to assess the proposed stages and service park concept.

“ACCUS plays a central role in this process, bringing significant experience and leadership within American motor sport, and the FIA will work closely with ACCUS and the event organizers to evaluate the event and support its continued development to ensure it meets FIA World Rally Championship standards.”