In a surprising turn of events, the WRC will not feature Rally Portugal in the 2027 season. The Automovel Club de Portugal (ACP) confirmed the news, despite the event having been initially scheduled for mid-May next year.
Rally Portugal is steeped in history. Since the championship's inception, it has been a staple on the calendar, missing only in 2002 and 2006. Its challenging gravel stages have tested the world's best for decades. But now, that legacy faces a one-year hiatus.
In its statement, the ACP explained that the promoter made changes on the final day of preparation for next season, aiming for a more geographically diverse and intercontinental calendar. “A date was already set for 13-16 May, but the promoter's changes affected Rally Portugal's scheduling,” the ACP said. However, early talks between the club and the WRC promoter have begun to ensure the event returns in 2028.
This news will disappoint Portuguese fans who flock to the stages in droves. Yet there is hope: the rally is expected to be back in 2028. Meanwhile, speculation about the 2027 calendar intensifies. Besides the confirmed Rally Scotland, which brings the WRC back to the UK after eight years, there are talks of Rally Italy moving from Sardinia to Rome. Additionally, a Rally USA is rumored to be joining the schedule.
With Portugal's absence, the 2027 WRC landscape will shift. Drivers must adapt to new terrains, and teams will need to rethink logistics. Could this be the start of a new, more global WRC era? Only time will tell.
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