The BBC will broadcast the World Rally Championship (WRC) to UK viewers from 2027, having signed a new deal with the series promoter.
It marks a surprising return for the WRC to Britain’s national broadcaster. Rallying disappeared from the BBC’s motorsport coverage in the late 1990s.
A three-year agreement will see the BBC air five live stages from each round, along with the event-closing ‘Power Stage’.
This will be joined by a 60-minute highlights package from 14 WRC rounds, along with digital clips and additional content across various BBC platforms.
Perhaps most significantly of all, the BBC will show extensive live coverage of Rally Scotland, to span all four days of the competition.
2027 brings major changes for WRC
Rally Scotland represents a change to the WRC calendar, given the UK hasn’t hosted top-level rallying action since 2019.
All previous WRC rounds held in Britain since the turn of the century were hosted in Wales. The 1995 Network Q RAC Rally, won by the late Colin McRae, was the last time Scotland witnessed a WRC competition.
A deal with Motorsport UK and the WRC organisers will see Rally Scotland take place for at least three years from 2027 to 2029, with stages around the forests of Aberdeenshire.
Next season will also bring changes to the WRC’s technical regulations, including the introduction of a common spaceframe chassis for the new WRC27 Rally1 cars.
Teams can also use second-tier WRC2 cars, but fitted with a new WRC Kit to make them eligible for the top level of competition.
Rallying is back on the BBC
The changes are being made to save money, and make the WRC more attractive to car manufacturers. At present, Toyota is the sole OEM represented in top-flight rallying with a WRC27 Rally1 car.
It will be joined by M-Sport Ford, using a WRC2-specification Fiesta fitted with a WRC Kit, along with privateer entries from Project Rally One and WRT Rally1 Spain.
Given the potential drama from the changes coming to the WRC for 2027, the free-to-air TV coverage from the BBC is great news for motorsport fans. Having Welsh driver Elfyn Evans leading the 2026 championship standings helps, too.
Following the announcement, Rhuanedd Richards, director of BBC Nations, said: “This is a fantastic addition to our sports portfolio with teams across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland coming together to bring audiences one of the world’s most thrilling motorsport championships.
“The World Rally Championship combines elite sporting competition with dramatic locations and compelling stories, making it a natural fit for the BBC.
“The return of Rally Scotland to the WRC calendar is particularly exciting and we look forward to capturing all the thrills and excitement for audiences when it kicks off next year. “
Sadly, there is currently no word from the BBC on bringing back ‘Jewelled’ by German synthpop band Propaganda, which was used as the theme tune for its Rally Report series during the 1980s and 1990s.
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