Rally Saudi Arabia will not form part of the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) due to ongoing regional developments affecting the logistical arrangements for the event.
The FIA and WRC Promoter confirmed that the rally, scheduled for November 12 to 15, will still go ahead as planned as part of the FIA Middle East Rally Championship (MERC).
The FIA, WRC Promoter and the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation (SAMF) had worked with the local organising team and championship stakeholders to explore options to keep the WRC round on the calendar. However, the ongoing regional uncertainty and its impact on logistics led to the decision to remove the WRC element from this year’s event.
Rally Saudi Arabia to Continue as MERC Round
Saudi Arabia remains prepared to host the event, with the country continuing to operate its national systems and sporting and entertainment calendar.
The Rally Saudi Arabia event will therefore proceed from November 12 to 15 as a round of the FIA Middle East Rally Championship.
The FIA said it will continue working with SAMF and the organising team to support the safe and successful delivery of the November event.
Saudi officials also reaffirmed their commitment to bringing the WRC back to the Kingdom in the future.
Sardinia Becomes 2026 WRC Finale
With Rally Saudi Arabia removed from the WRC calendar, Rally Italia Sardegna will become the final round of the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship.
The Sardinian event will take place from October 1 to 4 and will serve as the 13th and final round of the season, subject to approval by the FIA World Motor Sport Council.
The championship finale is set to feature a close title battle, with the FIA Drivers’ and Co-Drivers’ Championship leaders separated by 17 points heading into the event.
Sardinia’s gravel stages will therefore determine the outcome of the 2026 championship.
WRC Return to Saudi Arabia Targeted for 2027
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said the decision was made following discussions with Saudi partners and other championship stakeholders.
He stressed that the decision does not change the FIA’s confidence in the organisers or its plans for Saudi Arabia.
“Our focus now is firmly on the future,” Ben Sulayem said. “We will continue working together with our partners in Saudi Arabia and WRC Promoter towards bringing the FIA World Rally Championship back in 2027.”
Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, Chairman of SAMF and Saudi Motorsport Company (SMC), said Saudi Arabia remained ready to host the WRC event and that its commitment to international motorsport was unchanged.
WRC Promoter CEO Éric Boullier also said the decision was not a reflection of the readiness or capability of the Saudi organisers, adding that the focus would now be on working towards the rally’s return to the WRC calendar in 2027.
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