The 2026 FIA World Rally Championship will finish earlier than originally planned, with Rally Italia Sardegna becoming the final round of the season from 1 to 4 October.
The change follows confirmation from the FIA and WRC Promoter that Rally Saudi Arabia will no longer take place as a WRC round this season. Ongoing uncertainty in the region and its impact on the logistics required to stage the event were cited as the reasons behind the decision.
The revised calendar remains subject to approval by the FIA World Motor Sport Council.
Sardinia becomes the 2026 WRC finale
The cancellation changes the role of Rally Italia Sardegna considerably.
Rather than serving as another stop on the 2026 calendar, the Italian gravel rally will now bring the championship to a close, moving the season finale forward to the beginning of October.
The decision came after the FIA, WRC Promoter, partners in Saudi Arabia and championship stakeholders explored whether the planned WRC round could still go ahead.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said the parties had worked to “explore every possible route” before reaching the decision.
“These are never easy decisions, particularly after the significant work undertaken by everyone involved in preparing for the event,” Ben Sulayem said.
Rally Saudi Arabia will still take place
Saudi Arabia will not disappear from the rally calendar entirely.
Although its WRC component has been removed, Rally Saudi Arabia will still run as the final round of the 2026 FIA Middle East Rally Championship.
The change therefore applies specifically to the World Rally Championship event, with attention already turning towards a possible WRC return next season.
“Our focus now is firmly on the future,” Ben Sulayem said. “We will continue working together with our partners in Saudi Arabia and WRC Promoter towards bringing the FIA World Rally Championship back in 2027.”
For the 2026 WRC season, however, the destination is now set. Rally Italia Sardegna will take over as the championship finale, bringing the campaign to its conclusion on the Italian gravel from 1 to 4 October.
