16 March 2026 / Motorsport UK
Motorsport UK has confirmed that the FIA World Rally Championship will return to the UK from 2027 with a brand-new event: Rally Scotland.
Following funding agreements with the Scottish Government, Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council, Motorsport UK has agreed terms with WRC Promoter GmbH for an initial three-year agreement from 2027 to 2029, bringing the world’s best rally drivers back to British stages.
For decades, the UK was a cornerstone of the WRC calendar. From the legendary RAC Rally through to Wales Rally GB, Britain’s forests have played host to some of the sport’s most iconic moments.
Now, after a seven-year absence, the championship is returning for a first-ever round in Scotland, and first time
The new event, probably held in the autumn of 2027, will be the first time since 2019 that the UK has hosted a WRC event, and first time ever that Scotland has hosted a full round of the WRC – the last WRC appearance in Scotland being the RAC Rally in the Borders in 1995.
Aitken-Walker and McRae lead Scots’ roll of honour
Scotland has had its fair share of WRC champions from Borderer Louise Aitken-Walker, who was the inaugural Ladies World Rally Champion in 1990, to Colin McRae who, in 1995, co-driven by Derek Ringer, became the first British male crowned World Rally Champion.
Scottish co-driver Robert Reid also secured the crown on the notes for Englishman Richard Burns in 2001.
Motorsport UK Chair 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.”
‘Strong collaboration between national and local partners’
Hugh Chambers, Motorsport UK CEO, commented: “Bringing the FIA World Rally Championship back to the UK has been a priority for Motorsport UK, and Rally Scotland is the result of strong collaboration between national and local partners who share our ambition to deliver a world-class event. It represents an important moment for the sport in the UK – reconnecting the championship with our passionate rally community while creating new opportunities for competitors, volunteers and fans.”
Based in Aberdeen, Rally Scotland will feature spectacular forest gravel stages across North-East Scotland alongside fan-friendly city stages designed to bring the sport closer to spectators. Rally HQ and the service park will be located at the world-class P&J Live at The Event Complex Aberdeen (TECA) arena complex.
Rally Scotland represents more than the return of a world championship event. It will provide a global platform to showcase the wider impact motorsport can have across innovation, sustainability, community engagement and inclusion.
The FIA World Rally Championship already competes using 100% fossil-free fuel, and Rally Scotland will shine a spotlight on the rapidly growing sustainable fuel sector in North-East Scotland. The event will also highlight how motorsport can drive progress in technology, engineering and future mobility.
Community programmes to inspire future generations
Alongside the sporting spectacle, a wide range of programmes will be delivered to support community engagement, education and volunteer development, helping inspire the next generation of competitors, engineers and officials.
Initiatives will include STEM programmes for young people, diversity and inclusion projects such as Girls on Track and Race for Diversity, and opportunities for volunteers and motorsport clubs to be part of delivering a world-class international event.
Rallying has always been powered by people – from competitors and teams to marshals, volunteers and motor clubs who deliver events across the country.
The return of the World Rally Championship provides a unique opportunity to celebrate that community and bring the global spotlight back to one of the most passionate rallying nations in the world.