What can we expect from WRC Rally Islas Canarias?

Spain’s return to the WRC was confirmed on Monday, and takes the series to another new and exciting venue.

New? Not so much. Certainly not if, like us, you’ve been an avid fan of the European Rally Championship, where Rally Islas Canarias has been a staple since 2016. And, let’s not forget, rallying has been part of a furniture on the beautiful Spanish island since 1977.

Spain itself has been part of the world championship since 1991, when an event was first introduced to Catalunya, partly to reflect the fact that the country had a world champion in Carlos Sainz, but also, because the sport has always enjoyed an enormous following in that part of the world.

And whether we’re on an island – or islands, as it will be in 2026 – or on the mainland coast, it really doesn’t matter. The warm welcome, the atmosphere, the passion and the emotion will be exactly the same. It’s only been two years since we were last in Spain, but we've certainly missed the flavour and the fever of the place.

Las Palmas and Gran Canaria will be fantastic hosts next year, but definitely one of the most interesting prospects is the opportunity for some WRC island hopping around the other Canary Islands to celebrate the 50th running of the rally in 2026.

There’s plenty awaiting the WRC, plenty to keep the crews interested with some of the fastest and most technical as stages around. Get ready for 2025, it’s going to be a good one.