Rally d'Italia moves from Sardinia to Rome in 2027 with five-year contract

WRC Promoter and the FIA have confirmed that Rome will be the new host of the Rally Italia from 2027, ending the 23-year era of Sardinia as the host of the Italian round. The island will continue to host the event in 2026 before moving to the European Rally Championship until 2030.

The Rally di Roma Capitale, which has been part of the ERC since 2021, secured the five-year contract to become the new Italian round of the WRC. The scheduled date for the event is October 1-4.

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Simon Larkin Confirms Preparation Timelines for the Change

Simon Larkin, Senior Event Director at WRC Promoter, explained the decision to postpone the move until 2027: "We are convinced that this agreement constitutes the best solution for the future of top-level rallying in Italy. The decision to postpone the date to 2027 will give us the necessary time, in collaboration with the FIA, to prepare the event in Rome in the best possible way and ensure its success in its first year."

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Sardinia Maintains Presence in European Rallying Until 2030

The island will not disappear completely from the international rally scene. Emilia Abel, FIA Road Sport Director, confirmed Sardinia's continuity in the ERC: "We are pleased to see the long-term future of one of the most historic and important rally events renewed. The Rally Sardinia has been a great challenge for the teams in recent years, and I am sure that next year's edition will be equally spectacular."

The Rally Italia Sardegna had been under scrutiny for several years due to its island location, which limited access for large crowds. The event had withstood multiple threats of disappearance, including the 2020 pandemic, remaining on the WRC calendar since it replaced the Rally Sanremo in 2004.

Rally di Roma Capitale Has Gained Experience Since 2013

The Roman event has gained experience since its debut in 2013, establishing itself in the ERC since 2017. Andrea Crugnola won the 2023 and 2024 editions, establishing himself as the most successful driver in the rally's recent history. The event achieved the three-star rating from the FIA Environmental Accreditation Programme, being the first in the ERC to do so.

Opening ceremonies in front of the Colosseum have been a distinctive feature of the Rally di Roma Capitale. The new Rally Italia will be contested on the asphalt roads of the Lazio region.

Rome as a Stage for Lancia's Potential Return

The change of venue to Rome in 2027 coincides with the development of the Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale, the most successful brand in World Rally history with 10 manufacturers' titles. The new 2027 regulations will allow Rally2 cars to compete in the top category, opening the door for the return of historic brands.

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For Lancia, having the Rally Italia in Rome instead of Sardinia could be strategic. The ceremonies in front of the Colosseum offer an ideal stage for a brand looking to reconnect with its legacy, especially considering it withdrew from the WRC in 1993 after dominating the championship between 1987 and 1992 with the Delta Integrale.