Since its debut in 1977, Rally Islas Canarias has been a consistent fixture in the European Rally Championship calendar since 2016. Now, the asphalt rally is poised to transition to the WRC calendar for both 2025 and 2026, subject to approval from the World Motor Sport Council.
This move follows a similar trajectory as seen with Tet Rally Latvia and Rally Poland, which were elevated from the ERC to the WRC for the current year.
This development ensures Spain’s return to the WRC scene after Rally Catalunya was dropped from the calendar after the 2022 edition.
German Morales, CEO of Club Deportivo Todo Sport, the event promoter, expressed his satisfaction, stating, “Bringing the Rally Islas Canarias to the WRC has been the reward for many years of work. It was a goal desired by several generations, and now, together with WRC Promoter, it has become within reach.”
Jona Seibel, managing director of WRC Promoter, echoed the sentiment, saying, “We are enthusiastic about having Spain back on the WRC calendar and are encouraged to see our clearly defined strategy to have an opportunity for ERC events to have a pathway to WRC coming to fruition as Rally Islas Canarias follows on from Latvia and Poland in 2024.”
This announcement comes amidst an influx of proposals from various nations vying to join the WRC calendar. While the championship is expected to expand to 14 events next year, the exact placement of the Canary Islands rally in the schedule remains uncertain.
Saudi Arabia, Ireland, Paraguay, and Argentina are among the contenders for a place on the 2025 schedule, with decisions expected in the coming months. Additionally, the WRC is confident about featuring a Middle East round in the upcoming calendar year.
Moreover, Ireland has presented a bid to host the championship from 2025 to 2027, contingent upon securing 15 million euros in government funding. Meanwhile, the United States aims for inclusion in the 2026 calendar.