WRC
Iconic Monaco streets to host WRC stage for first time since 2008
Rallye Monte-Carlo is set to return to its glamorous roots in 2026 with the inclusion of a special stage inside the Principality of Monaco for the first time in nearly two decades.
Unveiled today (Friday 25 July), the itinerary for the 94th edition of the iconic WRC season-opener includes a short but spectacular super special stage (SS13) on Saturday evening (24 January), set on the lower section of Monaco’s world-famous Formula 1 circuit. If confirmed, it will mark the first competitive test within the Principality since 2008.
The addition brings a fresh sparkle to an already demanding route that spans 17 stages and 340.80km competitive kilometres across five departments in southeast France. The rally kicks off on Thursday 22 January from Monaco’s Quai Albert 1er with three stages across the Alpes-Maritimes and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.
The Principality last hosted a special stage in 2008
© McKlein
Friday brings the longest day of the rally with 129.38km of action across Drôme and Hautes-Alpes, featuring a trio of classic stages each run twice. Saturday’s route, based mainly in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, features two passes of the 30.10km La Bréole / Bellaffaire test and a reprise of Vaumeilh / Claret before the potential Monaco super special stage wraps up the leg.
Sunday’s finale moves into legendary territory, with two iconic tests – Col de Braus / La Cabanette and La Bollène-Vésubie / Moulinet – each run twice. The final pass over Moulinet, famously including the Col de Turini, will serve as the Wolf Power Stage.
The rally concludes with a podium celebration at Port Hercule in Monaco on Sunday afternoon.
Note: All details remain subject to approval of the 2026 WRC calendar by the FIA World Motor Sport Council
Provisional Itinerary: Rallye Monte-Carlo 2026
Thursday, 22 January 2026 (61.58 km)
- SS1 – Toudon / Saint-Antonin – 22.90 km
- SS2 – Esclangon / Seyne-les-Alpes – 23.48 km
- SS3 – Vaumeilh / Claret – 15.20 km
Friday, 23 January 2026 (129.38 km)
- SS4 – Laborel / Chauvac-Laux-Montaux 1 – 17.84 km
- SS5 – Saint-Nazaire-le-Désert / La Motte-Chalancon 1 – 29.00 km
- SS6 – La Bâtie-des-Fonts / Aspremont 1 – 17.85 km
- SS7 – Laborel / Chauvac-Laux-Montaux 2 – 17.84 km
- SS8 – Saint-Nazaire-le-Désert / La Motte-Chalancon 2 – 29.00 km
- SS9 – La Bâtie-des-Fonts / Aspremont 2 – 17.85 km
Saturday, 24 January 2026 (78.22 km)
- SS10 – La Bréole / Bellaffaire 1 – 30.10 km
- SS11 – Vaumeilh / Claret – 15.20 km
- SS12 – La Bréole / Bellaffaire 2 – 30.10 km
- SS13 – Monaco Circuit Super Special – 2.82 km
Sunday, 25 January 2026 (71.62 km)
- SS14 – Col de Braus / La Cabanette 1 – 12.48 km
- SS15 – La Bollène-Vésubie / Moulinet 1 – 23.33 km
- SS16 – Col de Braus / La Cabanette 2 – 12.48 km
- SS17 – La Bollène-Vésubie / Moulinet 2 (Wolf Power Stage) – 23.33 km
