WRC Croatia 2026

[jcevc]

So, after a year of absence, WRC Croatia will be back in 2026 - 2 weeks earlier and with a pretty big changes.

Service park will be on racetrack Grobnik, cca 30 km from coastal town Rijeka (street Korzo), where start and finish will be located - Rijeka already hosted ERC in some of editions.
Special stages on Friday (8) around city Karlovac (area known from previous editions), other two days (8 and 4) special stages will be held in region of Gorski Kotar and peninsula Istra (ERC 2013 for example was held in Istra).
In case of unstable weather conditions we can see the most extreme cases - from the sun on the sea side of mountain Učka to the snow in Gorski Kotar (already happened 2023 or 2024).

This are unofficial info, so wait a little bit for official confirmation :)

[Dimitris]

Massive shame that Zagorska Sela is out of the rally :(

[Morte66]

If this is confirmed, I'll be very glad to hear it. I have enjoyed the various ERC/WRC Croatia rallies.

[jcevc]

Rally Guide 1 is out for some day already and moving the service zone and area of special stages is confirmed.

[ik1911]

Rally Guide 1 is out for some day already and moving the service zone and area of special stages is confirmed.

Shakedown somewhere on Island Krk!

[WRCStan]

Not exactly the easiest place to get to. Flying to Rijeka or Pula, even from London, looking at 40 hours trip each way with 2 stops. Quicker to drive. Zadar airport just as pointless, so options are Trieste or Zagreb, probably flying from London with 3 hours driving either end. Not looking likely tbh.

[Managarium]

Zagreb - Rijeka is 1,5 hour drive. You can drive faster on Croatian highways. Limit is 130 km/h but if you drive 150 km/h you shall have 0 problems with police.
On Croatian highways is 10 % tolerance of speed, which means if you drive 143 km/h you are legal. But you can go faster. The highway police is dealing with 200+ km/h drivers.

Also, there is highway by the Zagreb airport and you have direct connection to Rijeka and Pula, if you want to drive.
But you can also take a flight from Zagreb to Rijeka (which has an airport on island Krk) and Pula.

[Steve Boyd]

Not exactly the easiest place to get to.
Often a problem with "holiday" destinations out of season. If the event was a month or two later you could fly direct from LGW or LTN.

[Steve Boyd]

Not exactly the easiest place to get to.
Often a problem with "holiday" destinations out of season. If the event was a month or two later you could fly direct from LGW or LTN.

[WRCStan]

I looked at Zagreb but once I chose an indirect flight from an unreliable German airline that has cancelled flights on me in the past, I was given 11 different prices to choose from. I lost interest then, because it's all these little add-on nuisances that kills me wanting to go anywhere, and I didn't even begin to look at getting to the airport which even charges to get dropped off at by a friend; then hiring a car, somewhere to stay, ESTAs. Tourism industry and the regulators think I'm cattle, they can only blame their selves for making it an ordeal and not a joy. I'm glad I got to travel when I did without all this what-should-be-unnecessary shit.

Little rant over, here's something useful: Trieste Airport might as well be in Venice btw, and there's some dirt cheap direct flights going daily to the Venice airports from the UK for anybody who wants the drive.

Edit, bringing this into context: is travelling to see WRC/this rally worth it(?)

[GigiGalliNo1]

Fly into Venice...

[GigiGalliNo1]

And also... you don't require an ETIAS until the end of 2026.

[Managarium]

Here you go...
Noe exactly location but;
Friday - Istria
Saturday - Primorje - Gorski Kotar County, between Rijeka and Karlovac
Sunday - Lika - Senj County
https://www.tportal.hr/sport/clanak/wrc-se-vraca-u-hrvatsku-ovoga-puta-bit-ce-na-drugim-lokacijama-20260120

[Managarium]

Here you go...
Noe exactly location but;
Friday - Istria
Saturday - Primorje - Gorski Kotar County, between Rijeka and Karlovac
Sunday - Lika - Senj County
https://www.tportal.hr/sport/clanak/wrc-se-vraca-u-hrvatsku-ovoga-puta-bit-ce-na-drugim-lokacijama-20260120

[WRCStan]

If shakedown is near Grobnik I hope that Balde Fucka (https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Ul.+Balde+Fućka+50,+51000,+Rijeka,+Croatia/) gets involved.

The powerstage finish looks interesting, not sure how it's going to finish at the fortress with the town and main road.

[Managarium]

https://i.postimg.cc/cHMpf0Vq/626511736-18405764551131579-6600806091851693505-n.jpg (https://postimg.cc/Q9CY3G8S)

[Lect3R]

Back in 2024 I made maps for watching positions for Croatia Rally and with popular request I again made watching positions for stages that will be in Croatia Rally this year.
"Sadly" only 3 stages from this year has been driven before with wrc cars so I only included those since there is no data on other stages as they're brand new to the wrc.
Total of 128 locations with on-site video footage from each position how wrc car passes by that corner. Locations are properly named to represent how a corner looks like, also color coded to represent real average speed going through location corner as well. Red=180kmh+, dark orange 180-150, bright orange=150-120, yellow=120-90, dark green= 90-50 and bright green=under 50kmh.
To makes things easier I made quick little website to speed up process rather than dming me here. Website link: https://rallyspectator.bgng.io
On the website is also a free map that will showcase how maps exactly look like.

[WRCStan]

Official website talks of tickets being available via Eventim (https://rally-croatia.com/en/spectators). No further information. What is ticketed or supposed to be ticketed, anybody know?

[deephouse]

Two years I was in Kumrovec for PS, and it was ticketed on some spot, where there was food, drinks, and a big screen with RallyTV action on it. Right there where Fourmaux clip the anti-cut device with Puma. Then I was going on finish line (where the old abandoned hotel was and podium spot. That place was not ticketed. So I assume that it will not be all ticketed even this year.

[wwbroe]

Back in 2024 I made maps for watching positions for Croatia Rally and with popular request I again made watching positions for stages that will be in Croatia Rally this year.
"Sadly" only 3 stages from this year has been driven before with wrc cars so I only included those since there is no data on other stages as they're brand new to the wrc.
Total of 128 locations with on-site video footage from each position how wrc car passes by that corner. Locations are properly named to represent how a corner looks like, also color coded to represent real average speed going through location corner as well. Red=180kmh+, dark orange 180-150, bright orange=150-120, yellow=120-90, dark green= 90-50 and bright green=under 50kmh.
To makes things easier I made quick little website to speed up process rather than dming me here. Website link: https://rallyspectator.bgng.io
On the website is also a free map that will showcase how maps exactly look like.

I tought shakedown was supposed to be on the island KRK?

[ik1911]

I tought shakedown was supposed to be on the island KRK?

Shakedown is near Service park between Saršoni and Trnovica ( 3,44 km)

[Managarium]

Maps, route of rally

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=13R08CrtH5H1Q4aeZToSrmczho1oHkA8&ll=45.04805364840437%2C15.49969795416564&z=9

[WRCStan]

Maps, route of rally

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=13R08CrtH5H1Q4aeZToSrmczho1oHkA8&ll=45.04805364840437%2C15.49969795416564&z=9

SS17/19 not tying in with the recce route, is it official?

[becher]

Maps, route of rally

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=13R08CrtH5H1Q4aeZToSrmczho1oHkA8&ll=45.04805364840437%2C15.49969795416564&z=9
Ah thanks!

[TypeR]

Ogier gave up title chase already?
Not in entry list
https://ewrc-results.com/event/96258-croatia-rally-2026/entries

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Ogier gave up title chase already?
Not in entry list
https://ewrc-results.com/event/96258-croatia-rally-2026/entries

I think he doesn't want to be beaten to the Title by Solberg.

[PLuto]

Full entry list to Croatia - http://www.autosport.cz/zavody/soubor.php?f=28948

I am disappointed that no new competitor arrived to JWRC.

[doubled1978]

Ogier gave up title chase already?
Not in entry list
https://ewrc-results.com/event/96258-croatia-rally-2026/entries

I don’t think it’s about the title, it’s about wins. Croatia will be very tough to win from 6th on the road with Evans first.
Canaries, road position won’t matter and the subsequent gravel rallies will be good for him lower down.

[ik1911]

Ogier gave up title chase already?
Not in entry list
https://ewrc-results.com/event/96258-croatia-rally-2026/entries

A Loos To the Competition!

[ik1911]

Link on 2026 Croatia Rally Special Stages Maps
From Official Pages!

https://rally-croatia.com/en/spectators/special-stages-maps

[ik1911]

Link on a few watching spot from Shakedown & Power stage!


https://www.flickr.com/photos/cc_rc/albums/72177720332557806/


Shakedown is technical and dangerous downhill (especially if raining!)

[Managarium]

WRC Croatia Rally 2026 | Shakedown

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-gdDXaF8fI

[WRCStan]

It's going to be an exhausting rally for spectators who aren't mountain goats.

[WRCStan]

Maps, route of rally

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=13R08CrtH5H1Q4aeZToSrmczho1oHkA8&ll=45.04805364840437%2C15.49969795416564&z=9


SS17/19 not tying in with the recce route, is it official?

Was different BTW. Don't ruin your Sunday!


Link on 2026 Croatia Rally Special Stages Maps
From Official Pages!

https://rally-croatia.com/en/spectators/special-stages-maps

[Dimitris]

https://www.powerslideblog.com/wrc-stage-previews/2026/croatia-rally-2026-route-preview

Μy Croatia Rally route preview. Some of the new stages are really cool, but others like Ucka... meh, not for me

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I think he doesn't want to be beaten to the Title by Solberg.

Ogier was jaded before Monte but better by Safari. He says he's looking forward to fighting with Solberg...

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/ogiers-admission-about-his-2026-season/

[GigiGalliNo1]

Snow?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Snow?

Was some on the PET of Evans & Katsuta.

[GigiGalliNo1]

I hope none, gotta pack and fly from Australia hah so take snow/warm clothing (?) or not! :D

[Fast Eddie WRC]

https://rallyjournal.com/toyota-wrc-star-caught-in-a-crazy-situation/

In practice, the risk of snow is concentrated on one stage in Platak, where the route climbs to over 1,000 metres above sea level...

[TypeR]

Snow tyres(10x no studs) have been added to choice :D