# Rally de Portugal WRC exclusion

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/rally-de-portugal-wrc-exclusion
> Updated: 2026-10-07T20:14:07.000Z. Sources: 22. Developments: 2.

The Automóvel Clube de Portugal (ACP) announced that the Rally de Portugal will be excluded from the 2027 World Rally Championship (WRC) calendar. The WRC promoter cited a need to increase geographic and intercontinental diversity as the reason for the decision.

Local officials and tourism organizations have reacted with alarm. Tourism Centro de Portugal and Turismo do Porto e Norte characterized the exclusion as a “punch in the stomach” and a “disaster,” citing potential economic and employment losses for the North and Central regions. João Azevedo, the Mayor of Viseu, described the move as a “massive loss for the country.”

Despite a previous agreement intended to keep the event on the calendar through 2028, the ACP is now negotiating with the WRC promoter to secure the rally’s return for the 2028 season.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-07: Leiria Festival Rallye scheduled for December 2026

The 7th Leiria Festival Rallye will be held on December 5-6, 2026, featuring 212 km of racing and a night Super Special at the Leiria Kartódromo.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/leiria-festival-rallye-scheduled-for-december-2026

### 2026-09-29: Rally de Portugal excluded from 2027 WRC calendar

The Rally de Portugal will be absent from the 2027 WRC calendar due to promoter changes, sparking economic and tourism concerns in Portugal's North and Central regions.

20 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wrc-2026-title-race-concludes-at-rally-sardinia

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Cite as: Rally de Portugal WRC exclusion. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/rally-de-portugal-wrc-exclusion