By Elias Makori, Managing Editor, and WRC
There will be hardly any time to celebrate with organisers of the Safari Rally left with just 161 days to prepare for the 2027 edition of Kenya's World Rally Championship round which will run from March 18 to 21.
The 23-week countdown started on Thursday afternoon when the WRC Promoter, the commercial arm of the FIA World Rally Championship, confirmed dates for the 15-round 2027 calendar that, most significantly, celebrates the return of United States and United Kingdom rounds alongside the introduction of Italy's Rally d’Italia.
Approved by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) World Motor Sport Council, the 2027 calendar brings together some of the WRC’s most established events with the important new destinations as the championship prepares to enter a new era under the WRC27 technical regulations.
"This is a great milestone not only for Kenya but for the whole region, and in particular East Africa," said Maina Muturi, Chairman of the FIA's Kenya ASN, recognised as the International Automobile Federation's Kenyan link. "The tourism ecosystem that the WRC brings is beyond measure.
"With about 161 days left to put up one of the greatest FIA WRC Safari Rally events, the Secretariat will have to burn many midnight oils... impossible is nothing. FIA has, and remains, committed under President Mohammed Ben Sulayem and the whole FIA family to the success of the iconic WRC Safari Rally with all the support. It is my hope that we return back to Kasarani for the Super Special Stage," Muturi reacted.
President William Ruto said he was delighted at the announcement: "The Safari Rally stays home. I'm delighted to confirm that Kenya will host the WRC Safari Rally in 2027. Once again, the world's finest drivers will take on our plains, our valleys and the legendary roads of Naivasha," the President said on 'X'.
"The Safari Rally was born on Kenyan soil. Every edition fills our hotels, energises our businesses and carries the beauty of our country to screens across the world. I thank the Ministry of Sports, the WRC Safari Rally Project, our private-sector partners, the FIA and the WRC Promoter for making this possible. Tuonane Naivasha!"
Among the headline additions is Rally US, scheduled for August 26-29, which will mark the championship's first visit to the United States since 1988.
From left to right: Automobile Association of Kenya Chairman Jinaro Kibet, Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi, WRC Promoter Director of Events Simon Larkin, Safari Rally CEO Carl Tundo and FIA Kenya ASN President Maina Muturi during Larkin's visit to Nairobi in July, 2026. Tundo and his team have 23 weeks to deliver the 2027 WRC Safari Rally. (Photo / Courtesy)
The World’s Oldest Rally
“The return represents a major milestone in the WRC's international growth strategy, opening new opportunities in one of the world's largest automotive and motorsport markets. It also provides an important platform for the championship's manufacturer partners, particularly Ford, alongside broadcasters, commercial stakeholders and American rally fans,” WRC said while announcing the calendar.
The 2027 season will start with its traditional opening at the Monte-Carlo Rally in the Principality of Monaco with the 95th edition rally running from January 21 to 24.
“The world’s oldest rally returns with a redesigned and fiercely demanding route built for true driving virtuosos. Highlights of this new edition include 18 timed stages, the official ceremonial start from Monaco’s Port Hercule, and a return to Gap,” Monte Carlo Rally organisers said.
The 2027 season will start with its traditional opening at the Monte-Carlo Rally in the Principality of Monaco with the 95th edition rally running from January 21 to 24. (Image / Rallye Monte-Carlo)
From Monte Carlo, before coming to Kenya, the series shifts to Rally Sweden from February 18-21 with the action in the series’ only winter rally revolving around the Nolia trade fair area in Umeå, Västerbotten. Umeå has served as the rally’s permanent host hub since it shifted away from Värmland to secure more reliable winter and snow conditions.
WRC Safari Rally CEO Carl “Flash” Tundo will now have to move fast to assemble his secretariat for the 23 weeks of preparations for the Kenyan round, the key tasks which will also include aligning with commercial partners ahead of the rally that will, for the first time, not receive any state funding following President William Ruto’s directive weaning the even off dependence on the Exchequer.
WRC's International Growth Strategy
Among the headline additions for the 2027 WRC calendar is Rally US, scheduled for August 26 to 29, which will mark the championship's first visit to the United States since 1988.
The return represents a major milestone in the WRC's international growth strategy, opening new opportunities in one of the world's largest automotive and motorsport markets. It also provides an important platform for the championship's manufacturer partners, particularly Ford, alongside broadcasters, commercial stakeholders and American rally fans.
WRC Safari Rally's Head of Media Safety Anwar Sidi explains the rally route to journalists Peter Njenga (right) and Gishinga Njoroge (partly hidden) during the 2021 WRC Safari Rally. The 2027 Kenyan round of the World Rally Championship will be held from March 18-21. (Photo / Elias Makori)
The United Kingdom also returns for the first time since 2019, with Rally Scotland confirmed for September 30 to October 3. Developed with Motorsport UK and backed by the Scottish Government and local authorities, the Aberdeen-based event will reconnect the WRC with one of its most passionate and established fanbases while showcasing Scotland’s renowned forest roads to a global audience.
Another significant addition sees Rally d’Italia join the calendar from July 8-11. Building on its established position in the FIA European Rally Championship, the asphalt event will take the WRC to one of the world's most iconic capital cities, combining challenging stages in the Lazio region with the spectacular historic backdrop of Rome.
The 2027 World Rally Championship calendar.
"2027 represents the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the World Rally Championship, and this calendar reflects our ambition to build a stronger, more accessible and truly global championship,” said Éric Boullier, CEO of WRC Promoter.
“Returning to the United States and United Kingdom, alongside bringing the WRC to an iconic destination such as Rome, creates tremendous opportunities for our manufacturers, commercial partners and fans.
“Combined with the introduction of new technical regulations, we have a unique opportunity to shape the future of the WRC, attract new investment and bring the excitement of rallying to more people around the world.”
Fan-Focused Super Sunday Concept
After the Safari Rally in Naivasha, Croatia, the Canary Islands and Japan provide three consecutive asphalt rounds before the EKO Acropolis Rally Greece opens the European summer gravel run.
Estonia and Finland then put two of the championship’s fastest and most spectacular events back-to-back, while continuing to showcase innovative approaches to rally format.
Estonia’s successful condensed programme has demonstrated how a full-length WRC challenge can be delivered within a tighter timeframe, while Finland’s fan-focused Super Sunday concept has created a spectacular climax to one of the championship’s most historic events.
Paraguay and Chile form a South American double-header before Rally Saudi Arabia concludes the season from November 25-27.
The calendar will also provide the global stage for the introduction of the WRC27 technical regulations, designed to reduce costs, broaden participation and create new opportunities for manufacturers and independent constructors.
The crews prepare to enter the Parc Ferme during the WRC Safari Rally at the Wildlife Research and Training Institute in Naivasha. The same venue is expected to host the 2027 World Rally Championship Safari Rally headquarters and Service Park. (Photo / Elias Makori)
“Our vision is to build a championship that combines the unique sporting challenges of rallying with world-class events capable of engaging audiences around the globe,” Julien Vial, Chief Operating Officer of WRC Promoter, said.
“This calendar reflects that ambition, with a diverse mix of events, surfaces and destinations across five continents. Working closely with our organisers and partners, we want to continue raising the standard of our events and delivering an exceptional experience for fans, competitors and stakeholders.”
International Automobile Federation (FIA) President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said the 2027 FIA World Rally Championship calendar “reflects the strong momentum behind the WRC, with new events in the United Kingdom and Italy strengthening the Championship in countries with a proud rallying heritage, while the United States gives us an exciting opportunity to grow in a country where interest in rallying continues to rise.”
He added: “With the introduction of the WRC27 technical regulations, a new promoter thanks to the deal of the century that will bring long-term investment and ambition to the championship, and a strong global calendar, the future of rallying is extremely bright.”
President William Ruto with Cabinet Secretaries Rebecca Miano (Tourism) and Salim Mvurya (Sports) at the 2026 WRC Safari Rally. (Photo / PSCU)
