WRC Rally Sweden 2026

Grégoire Munster / Louis Louka, WRC Rally Sweden 2025

WRC Rally Sweden 2026

WRC 2026

Sweden

Ticket Info & Order

Watch LIVE at Rally.TV

Part of event series

WRC 2026

The 2026 FIA World Rally Championship Season includes 14 Events on 4 Continents.

14 Tour Stops

Deep in the snow-laden forests of Västerbotten, Rally Sweden 2026 continues its tenure in the winter capital of Umeå.

As the second round of the season, this is a rally of contradictions: a surface of ice and snow that, paradoxically, provides some of the highest average speeds in the WRC.

For 2026, the challenge has been refreshed with 18 special stages covering 300km, including the reversal of classic tests like Kolksele and Västervik to keep even the most seasoned crews on their toes.

The event kicks off with a high-profile shakedown right on the Ume River boulevard in the city centre, bringing the thunder of Rally1 engines to the doorstep of the fans. From the towering snowbanks of the remote north to the stadium atmosphere of the Red Barn Arena, Rally Sweden remains the ultimate test of high-speed commitment in a frozen wilderness.

Key Facts

Date

12 - 15 February 2026

Entry list

TBC

Servicepark

Umeå (Info and map here)

Itinerary / Schedule

TBC

Website

www.rallysweden.com

Hashtag

#RallySweden

Tickets

Info & Order

Watch the rally

Live Stream / TV Guide

About the rally

First held in 1950, Rally Sweden moved north to Umeå in 2022 to guarantee the deep snow and thick ice required for a world-class winter event.

The defining feature of this rally is the specialised Hankook Winter i*Pike tires, each fitted with tungsten-tipped studs that bite through the ice to provide incredible traction. This grip allows drivers to "lean" their cars against the frozen snowbanks to carry extra speed through corners - a high-stakes technique that can easily backfire if the banks are soft, sucking the car into a snowy grave. The 2026 route introduces a revamped Bygdsiljum stage, now the longest test of the rally at over 27km, featuring a brand-new opening section.

Reliability is also tested to the limit here; mechanics must perform intricate repairs in temperatures that can plummet to -25°C, while drivers must adapt to the unique "floating" sensation of the car as it dances between the banks at nearly 200kph.

Spectating

Umeå transforms into a massive winter festival for rally week, offering an atmosphere unlike anywhere else on the calendar. The Red Barn Arena is the epicentre of the action - a short shuttle ride from the city centre, it hosts the opening ceremony, daily stage finishes, and the final Wolf Power Stage podium. Here, fans can enjoy a stadium-style view of massive jumps and high-speed drifts while huddled around fire pits with local street food.

For those heading into the foresta, the tradition is built on "Makkara" (sausages) cooked over open fires and the legendary spectator zones where the party lasts all day. In 2026, the "Rally Towards Zero" initiative encourages fans to leave no trace in the pristine Swedish nature.

Just remember: in the Swedish winter, layers are your best friend, and the action is always worth the chill.

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