The World Rally Championship will return to the UK in 2027 with a three-year agreement for an Aberdeen-based Rally Scotland.
Ending an eight-year wait for British-based WRC fans, Rally Scotland will pick up a storied history which ended in Wales in 2019. Next season will mark the first time a WRC event has been based out of Scotland and used gravel stages across Aberdeenshire, in the country’s north-east.
Rally Scotland will also mark the WRC’s first trip to Scotland since the 1995 RAC Rally. While Britain’s world championship counter was based out of Chester that year, it utilized roads in the Borders – the all-Scottish Wauchope stage and cross-border tests in Kielder forest, including Broomylinn and Kershope.
While an exact date on the 2027 calendar has yet to be confirmed, it’s understood a traditional slot in the fall will be found for an event anchored in Aberdeen’s P&J Live arena – the venue hosting an indoor service park.
Aberdeenshire has never hosted the WRC before, but the British championship does visit the area
Chairman of Motorsport UK, British motorsport’s governing body, David Richards said: “Rallying has always held a special place in the story of British motorsport and, for me personally, it has been a huge part of my life. Having experienced the World Rally Championship from inside a rally car, I know just how unique the atmosphere of a UK rally can be: the forests, the fans and the extraordinary community of volunteers and motor clubs who make these events so special.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Scottish Government, Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council for their commitment to this event. Their support has made it possible to bring the World Rally Championship back to the UK, and Scotland provides a spectacular stage for the next chapter of that story.”
Like Richards, FIA deputy president Malcolm Wilson is well acquainted with both the Scottish stages and the benefits the WRC will bring to the region.
“This is a huge announcement for the FIA World Rally Championship,” said Wilson. “It really demonstrates the positive direction we are now taking. The United Kingdom has incredible heritage and passion for our sport, and the return of a flagship world championship event in Scotland is the start of the next chapter in this long history.
“As we enter a new era for the WRC in 2027 with new regulations, more accessible cars and more crews competing at the sharp end, it’s fantastic to see the appetite is there from organizers, governments and of course the fans to put together new WRC events. Alongside Motorsport UK, the WRC Promoter and the local organizers we are very much looking forward to making these plans a reality.”
While Scotland has never hosted a WRC round in its entirety, the nation’s history in the sport is well documented, with Scottish stars Louise Aitken-Walker, Colin McRae, Derek Ringer and Robert Reid all lifting the world championship title.
2027 is an exciting time for the WRC with new regulations, and now a new event
Mirroring a funding model which kept the WRC in Wales from 2000 to 2019, investment for Rally Scotland comes from the Scottish Government as well as Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Council. Scottish Government Minister for Business Richard Lochhead can see benefits both nationally and locally.
He said: “The Scottish Government is delighted to have played a role in bringing the World Rally Championship back to Scotland.
“This is the first time that a round of the event will be staged solely in Scotland and is a huge moment for Scottish motorsport. It is also an opportunity to attract thousands of visitors, teams and fans from around the world, bringing significant benefits boosting local and national economies.
“Scotland has a growing reputation for hosting world-class events and WRC Rally Scotland will showcase our country on the global sporting stage, inspire communities and promote Scotland internationally.”
