March 27th 2026

Gran Canaria Stadium to host Rally Islas Canarias opener

After taking rallying indoors at Gran Canaria Arena in 2025, organisers have raised the bar again by shifting the spectacle to the neighbouring stadium, a venue more commonly associated with top-flight football than flat-out WRC action.

With capacity for more than 30,000 spectators, the new setting is designed to deliver a major boost in comfort, safety and accessibility while giving fans a clear view of the action from the stands.

The purpose-built layout will make full use of the stadium interior and is set to feature side-by-side competition, adding extra intensity and making it easier for fans to follow every second of the action.

The stage, named Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, will run twice across the opening two days of the rally. The first pass forms Thursday’s sole timed test at 18:05, while the second will close Friday’s leg at 19:45.

Support activities around the service park are also planned ahead of both runs, with live performances, Fan Zone attractions and additional entertainment set to turn the stadium stages into two full evening shows.

The change means the stage originally planned at Islas Canarias Circuit has been dropped, while the previously scheduled Las Palmas city stage on Saturday has also been removed in favour of Friday’s second stadium run. That leaves organisers focused on delivering a single standout urban showcase as part of the rally’s golden anniversary.

Fans who had already purchased tickets for the originally announced circuit stage will still be able to attend, with those tickets now valid for both stadium stages on Thursday and Friday. A limited number of additional seats will also be released under the same conditions and pricing structure.

The event runs from 23 - 26 April as round five of the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship.

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