Argentina to host World Rally Championship starting in 2028

Argentina will return to the official World Rally Championship calendar in 2028 under a multi-year agreement lasting until 2032. Governor Martín Llaryora announced the news on November 13, 2026, at the Centro Cívico del Bicentenario. This decision follows a planned candidate event in March 2027 to evaluate the region's capacity to host the international series.

The 2027 candidate event

The 2027 candidate rally will serve as a three-day evaluation of sporting, safety, infrastructure, and organizational standards. This event will be held as part of the FIA CODASUR South American Championship. International delegates will evaluate the technical and operational capacities of the region during this period. The proposed route for the rally may include the historic El Cóndor section. Additionally, organizers plan to establish a WRC Arena in the area surrounding the Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium in Córdoba.

The return to the championship marks a significant milestone for the region. Governor Martín Llaryora stated that the return of the rally is a cultural icon for Córdoba and represents tourism and work. The FIA President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, noted that Argentina has a great history in rally and passionate fans. Eric Boullier, the CEO of WRC Promoter, added that Argentina has always had a significant presence in the sport.

Historical context and logistics

The World Rally Championship has not been held in Argentina since 2019. The sport has a deep history in the country, with the first rally held in Argentina in 1980. Córdoba became the permanent home for the event in 1984. While the race was held in Tucumán and Catamarca in 1992 instead of Córdoba, the country has hosted a total of 39 editions of the World Rally Championship.

The suspension of the championship in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted the momentum of the event. Currently, the FIA and WRC Promoter are negotiating regional race logistics that involve Chile and Paraguay. The upcoming multi-year contract ensures that the championship will remain in the country through 2032.

Organizational leadership

The successful execution of the return depends on several key figures and organizations. The leadership includes César Carman III, the President of the Automóvil Club Argentino, and Agustín Calleri, the President of Agencia Córdoba Deportes. Local promoter Felipe McGough is also involved in the regional efforts. Other notable figures in the sport include FIA Vice President Malcolm Wilson OBE and Belgian driver Thierry Neuville, who was the winner in 2019. The country also boasts famous racing figures such as Argentine driver Carlos Reutemann.

Glossary

• Córdoba — Córdoba is a region where association football is the most popular sport. It is also a place where rugby union is very popular and has many teams.
• Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium — The Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium is a location in Córdoba. It is the site where a WRC Arena is planned to be established.
• Automóvil Club Argentino — The Automóvil Club Argentino is a sports federation founded in 1904. Its president is César Carman III.
• Tucumán — Tucumán is a province that hosted a rally in 1992. The name may be a combination of two indigenous names, Tucma and Tucumanaho.
• Catamarca — Catamarca is a province that hosted a rally in 1992. It is also the location of Canal 7, an Argentine open television channel.