One of the most anticipated moments for motorsports fans in Spain is approaching: For the first time in its history, the Canary Islands Rally is being included in the World Rally Championship (WRC) calendar. For four days, from April 24 to 27, 2025, Gran Canaria will become the global focal point of motorsport, attracting top international drivers and thousands of fans who don't want to miss this historic event.
The expectation on the islands is maximum, as it marks the return of the WRC to Spanish territory after the last edition held in Catalonia in 2022. With this, the Rally Islas Canarias – now officially renamed Rally de España – takes over and offers a pure asphalt route, with sections that will test both the skill of the drivers and the expertise of the teams.
A record-breaking rally: dates, route, and structure
The 2025 Canary Islands Rally is the fourth round of the year in the WRC and the first full asphalt race of the season. The event will kick off on Thursday, April 24th with the highly anticipated Shakedown in Santa Brígida, followed by the departure ceremony that same evening in the emblematic Plaza de Santa Ana, a particularly emotional moment for the home fans.
The route consists of 18 timed sections, totaling 301,30 kilometers of competition., spread over three intense days of racing:
- Thursday 24: Shakedown at Santa Brígida (6,4 km), warm-up for drivers and teams.
- Viernes 25: Six special stages, including the longest of the rally, Valsequillo-Telde (26,32 km). It includes two passes through Valleseco-Artenara and La Aldea-Mogán.
- Saturday 26: Eight sections, highlighting the Moya-Gáldar, Firgas-Teror, Tejeda-San Mateo routes, and the nighttime show section in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
- Domingo 27: Five special stages in the south, with Agüimes-Santa Lucía, Maspalomas, and the Power Stage as the final touches before the podium ceremony.
The stages are expected to combine twisty mountain sections, abrasive asphalt and constant changes of pace., characteristics that have made the rally famous in the past and which, for the first time, will be faced by WRC drivers in a scoring event.
International impact, economy and tourism
The incorporation of the Canary Islands Rally into the World Rally Championship This is not only a major sporting event, but will also have a significant impact on the island's economy and tourism. According to the organization's data, an estimated global television audience of about 85 million viewers and an economic return of around 40 million euros for the region.
Gran Canaria thus takes advantage of the opportunity to position itself internationally. as a destination for high-level sports tourism, attracting specialized visitors and projecting the island's image worldwide.
Team and driver participation: Toyota, Hyundai, Ford and the big names in the WRC
All the major official teams will be present in this event: Toyota Gazoo Racing, Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team and M-Sport Ford World Rally Team.
- Toyota presents a luxury workforce With Elfyn Evans (World Championship leader), Sébastien Ogier (eight-time champion), Kalle Rovanperä (two-time world champion), Takamoto Katsuta, and Sami Pajari. Evans will also benefit from the experience of his father, Gwyndaf Evans, as an ouvreur.
- Hyundai will line up Thierry Neuville, Ott Tänak and Adrien Fourmaux, all drivers with experience and victories in the World Championship.
- Among the Ford Puma Rally1 drivers will be Grégoire Munster and Joshua McErlean, while WRC2 and WRC3 feature dozens of international and national drivers, some with previous experience in the island rally.
Spanish participation will be especially significant In WRC2, with prominent names such as Alejandro Cachón (Toyota), Diego Ruiloba (Citroën), Efrén Llarena, Luis Monzón, Yeray Lemes, Raúl Hernández, Roberto Blach and others, who will seek to shine in front of the local fans.
Technical and regulatory developments 2025
This WRC season is marked by important changes in regulations which will be reflected in Gran Canaria:
- Disappearance of hybrid technology: Rally1 cars once again use only 1.6-litre turbo engines.
- Hankook Tires: The Korean brand replaces Pirelli as the sole supplier, forcing teams and drivers to adapt in record time.
- Revamped scoring system: The rally winner can earn up to 35 points, which makes overall victory even more rewarding.
- Extended calendar: With 14 events, including the historic new Canary Islands Rally and stops in Paraguay and Saudi Arabia.
The Canary Islands' highly abrasive asphalt, with temperatures expected to exceed 20°C, will be the first major World Championship test bed for Hankook's new compounds.
Safety and access regulations for the public
Attending the rally is completely free. on all rural stages, but there are strict rules imposed by the FIA and the WRC promoter to ensure safety:
- The public should be located only in enabled and authorized areasEscape areas, behind red tape or fences, are prohibited.
- Walking on the road is prohibited at least 30 minutes before each special stage..
- Parking is only permitted in official spectator parking lots.
- The organization and the stewards may cancel a stage if public safety regulations are not met.
Access to the Service Park is free. for everyone, except in the show zones (Las Palmas and Costa Canaria), where a ticket is required to control capacity. These measures aim not only to ensure safety but also to maintain the event's prestige and ensure the continuity of the WRC in the Canary Islands for years to come.
Days before: tests, examinations, and atmosphere on the island
The activity starts even before the official rally. Since April 17, international teams begin arriving in Gran Canaria.Between April 18 and 21, several teams will conduct private tests on different sections of the island to adapt their cars to the unique conditions of the Canary Islands asphalt and the new Hankook tires. In this edition, Rain has been a major factor in the first few days, conditioning the setup of the mounts, especially in areas such as Firgas, Valsequillo and Gáldar.
Team and driver presentations are already part of the pre-race atmosphere. Toyota Gazoo Racing, for example, brought together more than 300 fans for a public event at the Toyota Canarias facilities. Drivers such as Evans, Rovanperä, Katsuta, and Pajari shared their impressions and signed autographs while testing the stages and conducting the official inspections.
Sections and schedules: how and where to follow the test
The official itinerary includes:
- Friday, April 25: Valsequillo-Telde, Valleseco-Artenara, La Aldea-Mogán (repeated double pass).
- Saturday, April 26: Moya-Gáldar, Firgas-Teror, Tejeda-San Mateo, show section Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
- Sunday, April 27: Agüimes-Santa Lucía, Maspalomas, Costa Canaria (Power Stage), with the traditional awards ceremony.
The Roads in some municipalities will be closed to traffic punctually, with signage and access controls only for accredited residents, emergency services and organization.
For fans and residents interested in attending, there are downloadable hobbyist guides with maps, schedules, recommendations, and safety regulations, available free of charge on the official website and specialized media.
Live stream: where to watch the first edition of the 2025 Canary Islands WRC Rally
The Canary Islands WRC Rally will be widely covered across various platforms:
- Rally.TV: Offers live streaming of all stages in Spanish and English, accessible via the web and app, and including coverage of the rest of the FIA championships.
- DAZN: It will broadcast the event in Spanish, with special programming from the shakedown to the Power Stage.
- sports 3: Coverage in Catalan with daily summaries.
Those who cannot travel will have access to all the action on streaming and television.
Maximum equality, technical challenges and local protagonists
The Canary Islands Rally stands out as one of the most technical and circuit-like routes. within the WRC calendar. The roads between mountains and ravines, the absence of long straights, and the need for stiff suspension make each stage a challenge. According to the drivers, starting position won't be as decisive as in other asphalt rallies, and the clean surface will allow for close duels from the very first passes.
Local and national pilots will have a privileged showcase to compete against the best in the world, and the presence of several international champions such as Ogier and Evans guarantees a high-level battle.
One of the most important events on the 2025 WRC calendar
The 2025 WRC Canary Islands Rally It promises to become one of the most important and unique sporting events held on the islands, with a demanding route, reinforced safety regulations, and a stellar lineup of drivers. The festive atmosphere has been felt for days on the island, as it prepares for a benchmark event in the international motorsports scene. The combination of tradition, regulatory innovation, and a spectacular stage presence promises an unforgettable edition for teams, fans, and all of Gran Canaria.
Image | Ford