The Vodafone Rally de Portugal will be part of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) calendar for another three seasons, until 2028. The announcement was made after this year's edition, held between 15 and 18 May, which reinforced the status of the event organised by the Automóvel Club de Portugal (ACP) as a world reference in motorsport.
The confirmation is the result of an agreement between the ACP and the WRC promoter, guaranteeing that the race will be held in Portugal in 2026, 2027 and 2028.
‘This is excellent news for the organisation and for the mayors who trust us to take this rally to the north and centre of the country, for fans of the sport and for the national economy,’ said Carlos Barbosa, president of the ACP. ‘The promoter's trust is also fundamental, and we're very pleased to be able to secure three more editions of this great event.’
During the closing Power Stage in Fafe, Simon Larkin, Event Director of WRC Promoter, emphasised the decisive role of the Portuguese fans in the continuity of the race in Portugal. ‘The enthusiasm of the public and the quality of the event make the Rally de Portugal an unrivalled spectacle. It's a strategic event for the WRC and for the country.’
‘This is excellent news for the organisation and for the mayors who trust us to take this rally to the north and centre of the country, for fans of the sport and for the national economy,’ said Carlos Barbosa, president of the ACP. ‘The promoter's trust is also fundamental, and we're very pleased to be able to secure three more editions of this great event.’
Larkin also praised the ACP president's ability to liaise with the various bodies involved, namely local authorities and tourism organisations, which contribute decisively to the success of the event.
Present since the first WRC season in 1973, the Rally of Portugal is recognised as one of the most demanding challenges in the championship, with iconic sections such as Fafe and Arganil. It's worth remembering that the 2024 edition was responsible for an impact of more than 186 million euros on the national economy, half of which was direct spending in restaurants and hotels in the areas crossed by the event.