embargo lifted at 11am ET, Tuesday 27th October.
Knoxville named Host City, with a ceremonial start on Nashville’s Broadway and competition stages from the Appalachian Mountains to the Cumberland Plateau, August 26–29, 2027
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (Oct. 27, 2026) — Full details of America’s return to the FIA World Rally Championship have been confirmed, with next year’s Rally US set to deliver both a sporting spectacle and an unrivaled fan experience.
On October 8, the FIA and the WRC Promoter announced America’s historic return to the World Rally Championship (WRC) calendar for the first time since 1988. Today, Rally US unveiled the event details: August 26–29, 2027, with Knoxville, Tennessee, as Host City, a ceremonial start on Nashville’s Lower Broadway, and competition stages from the Appalachian Mountains to the Cumberland Plateau. Each round of the World Rally Championship averages a global viewership of more than 90 million, putting Tennessee and Kentucky in front of one of the largest audiences in the region’s history.
The region’s fast gravel roads, technical forest sections and dramatic elevation changes will challenge the world’s best drivers. Knoxville will serve as Rally Headquarters, with the WRC Arena — the team base and fan festival — at World’s Fair Park and the Knoxville Convention Center.
In 1982, the World’s Fair brought the world to Knoxville. In 2027, the world returns.
“I am excited to welcome the FIA World Rally Championship back to the United States for the first time in nearly 40 years, and even more excited that Tennessee will host this historic return in 2027,” said Tennessee Governor Bill Lee.
“The United States represents one of the most important growth opportunities for the FIA World Rally Championship. It is a nation where motor sport is part of the cultural DNA, with world-class domestic championships and a rapidly growing appetite for global competition. I am deeply committed to strengthening the FIA’s presence in the U.S. and ensuring that rallying becomes a defining pillar of that future,” said Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA.
“Expanding the FIA WRC into North America not only enhances the championship’s global reach, but connects rallying with a knowledgeable, passionate, and expanding fanbase in a market where participation and engagement continue to accelerate and grow,” Ben Sulayem added.
Rally US begins with a ceremonial start on Nashville’s Lower Broadway, which has hosted some of the country’s biggest events and artists.
Entertainment around every turn. Rally US pairs world-class competition with nonstop entertainment, from the ceremonial start on Music City’s Broadway to live music, driver appearances and fan events at the WRC Arena in Knoxville, and hometown celebrations in the towns of East Tennessee and Eastern Kentucky.
“Tennessee is in the hospitality and entertainment business, and nobody does it better,” said Matt Crews, President and CEO of Rally US. “When the FIA and WRC Promoter put America back on the calendar, we set out to deliver far more than a race: an event experience, from Broadway to the Appalachian Mountains, that rivals any festival in the world and puts our state on a global stage like no other.”
A showcase for the automotive industry. Tennessee and Kentucky form one of North America’s leading automotive manufacturing corridors, and Rally US gives the industry a global stage in its own backyard.
Shining a spotlight on small-town America. Every community along the route becomes part of a global broadcast, putting the region’s mountains, forests, lakes and historic main streets in front of a worldwide audience.
RALLY US AT A GLANCE
Dates: August 26-29, 2027
Ceremonial start: Lower Broadway, Nashville
Host City and Rally Headquarters: Knoxville, Tennessee
WRC Arena: World’s Fair Park and the Knoxville Convention Center – team base and fan festivals with driver appearances and live music
Competition stages: Appalachian Mountains to the Cumberland Plateau
Route: More than 15 counties across Tennessee and Kentucky
Tickets, hospitality and volunteers: wrcrallyus.com
Fans can sign up now at wrcrallyus.com for priority ticket access and premium hospitality, and register to volunteer.
Watch the press conference live. Rally US will present the full event details at a press conference today, Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 11 a.m. ET at the Sunsphere in Knoxville. The press conference will stream live on the Rally US YouTube channel, youtube.com/@wrcrallyus. Media unable to attend may submit questions in advance to media@wrcrallyus.com.
ADDITIONAL QUOTES
“Millions of people around the world will have the opportunity to experience Tennessee’s beautiful landscapes, vibrant communities, unmatched hospitality, and we are proud to showcase everything that our state has to offer.” — Bill Lee, Governor of Tennessee
“Knoxville is ready to welcome the world. Rally US will put our destination and our region in front of a global audience, and we’re ready to show every team, fan and visitor what Knoxville hospitality is all about.” — Kim Bumpas, President, Visit Knoxville
“The United States has long been a priority for the WRC. Knoxville and the roads of Tennessee and Kentucky give us a spectacular, challenging setting, and a passionate home for our teams, manufacturers and fans as we begin this new chapter in America.” — Éric Boullier, CEO, WRC Promoter
“Rally US is more than a major international sporting event; it is a powerful economic development driver for Tennessee. It gives us an opportunity to showcase the people, places and industries that make our state competitive while bringing visitors and business executives to towns and cities along the route. While here, they will see the strength of our workforce, the beauty of our state and the hospitality that defines Tennessee. We look forward to showing the world why Tennessee is a great place to live, work, play and invest.” — Stuart C. McWhorter, Deputy Governor and Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
“Tennessee has a long love for racing, dating back to the early days of stock cars on our mountain roads. We’re excited to welcome the world’s best drivers and racing fans from around the globe to Tennessee. We know the people and communities they meet along the way will help create memories that last a lifetime.” — Mark Ezell, Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development
ABOUT RALLY US
Rally US is the United States round of the FIA World Rally Championship, August 26–29, 2027, and the WRC’s first visit to the U.S. since 1988. Rally US is organized by Podium Event Partners, LLC, with offices in the Sunsphere in Knoxville, Tennessee. Follow @wrcrallyus for updates.
Media contact: media@wrcrallyus.com
