Sami Pajari/ Marko Salminen, WRC Vodafone Rally de Portugal 2025

WRC Vodafone Rally de Portugal 2026

WRC 2026

Portugal

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

The sixth round of the 2026 championship brings the WRC to the gravel amphitheatre of Northern and Central Portugal. Running from May 7 - 10, the Vodafone Rally de Portugal remains one of the most iconic fixtures on the calendar, renowned for its massive crowds, technical complexity, and a route that rewards clinical bravery.

Based at the Exponor service park in Matosinhos, near Porto, the 2026 edition continues its expanded footprint with a ceremonial start in the historic university city of Coimbra on Thursday evening. The itinerary balances legendary tests like the high-speed Lousã and Arganil loops with the endurance-sapping Amarante stage - the longest of the rally. As the first classic European gravel event of the year, it is the ultimate benchmark for the sport’s elite.

Key Facts

DATE

07 - 10 MAY 2026

Service Park

Matosinhos, Portugal

Entry List

TBC

Itinerary

TBC

Website

www.rallydeportugal.pt

Hashtag

#RallydePortugal

Watch the rally

Live Stream / TV Guide

About the Rally

A founding round of the WRC in 1973, Rally de Portugal is defined by its soft, sandy surfaces that rapidly degrade into a brutal gauntlet of rocks and ruts. For 2026, tyre management is the deciding factor in the 330km battle.

Following its successful 2025 debut, the Hankook Dynapro R213 gravel tyre is the exclusive rubber for the Rally1 field. Crews must navigate the "sweeping" effect on Friday’s opening pass, where the soft surface offers minimal grip for the early starters, before dealing with the sharp volcanic stones unearthed for the second loop.

The technical challenge is headlined by the Amarante stage, a 30km monster that requires a delicate balance between attacking the technical hairpins and preserving the tyres for the long, high-speed exits. The weather also plays a pivotal role; early summer temperatures in the Porto region can soar, placing immense thermal stress on the hybrid systems and brakes, while a sudden Atlantic shower can turn the sandy tracks into an ice-slick mud bath in seconds.

Spectating

Few events in world motorsport can match the raw energy of the Portuguese fans. The 2026 experience begins on Thursday night in Coimbra, where the Porta Férrea at the University provides a stunning backdrop for the ceremonial start and an autograph session that brings fans face-to-face with their heroes.

For the ultimate "pilgrimage," the Sunday morning run to Fafe is unmissable. Tens of thousands of fans gather on the hillsides surrounding the iconic Pedra Sentada jump, creating a stadium-style roar that can be heard over the engines. For 2026, the organisers have expanded the "VIP Rally Pass" areas, offering shaded viewing and live TV screens at the most popular jumps in Paredes and Amarante.

The Matosinhos Service Park at Exponor serves as the week-long hub, featuring the "Hankook Brand World" with simulators and interactive displays.

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