A completely reworked Croatia Rally returns to the WRC with a new base in Rijeka, a high-speed asphalt profile and one of the most demanding rhythm challenges of the season. Here’s everything you need to follow the rally live, understand the technical picture and read the stages like a driver.
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Event | WRC Croatia Rally 2026 |
| Date | 9–12 April 2026 |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Total Stages | 20 |
| Competitive Distance | 300.28 km |
| Service Park | Grobnik (Rijeka) |
| Power Stage | SS20 Alan–Senj 2 |
| Rally Base | Rijeka |
| Finish | Opatija |
Live Timing WRC
https://www.wrc.com/en/events/wrc-croatia-rally-2026
Live Results eWRC
https://ewrc-results.com/event/96258-croatia-rally-2026/results/532671
Full Itinerary
https://ewrc-results.com/event/96258-croatia-rally-2026/itinerary
Entry List
https://ewrc-results.com/event/96258-croatia-rally-2026/entries
The rally is currently underway during the opening leg with extremely tight gaps across the Rally1 field. No driver has established a clear margin, confirming that this edition is defined by consistency rather than outright attack.
The first loop has shown stable grip conditions, but the second pass is already introducing dirt and variability. This will be the first real selection factor of the event.
Expect time gaps to increase progressively through the remainder of Friday as road conditions evolve and drivers start to push braking zones deeper.
Toyota Gazoo Racing lines up with Elfyn Evans, Oliver Solberg, Takamoto Katsuta and Sami Pajari. Hyundai Motorsport fields Thierry Neuville, Adrien Fourmaux and Hayden Paddon. M-Sport Ford completes the Rally1 category with Josh McErlean and Jon Armstrong.
The balance of performance is expected to remain close due to the nature of the surface, where mechanical differences are less decisive than driver input and confidence.
Friday represents the most important leg of the rally with 126.86 kilometres, accounting for over forty percent of the total distance. The loop includes Vodice–Brest, Lake Butoniga–Motovun, Beram–Cerovlje and Učka, all repeated twice. Beram–Cerovlje is the longest stage of the day and will be critical for building early gaps, while Učka introduces altitude and rhythm variation.
Saturday is the technical core of the event with 115.96 kilometres. The stages around Platak and Generalski Stol–Zdihovo define the day, combining high-speed sections with complex rhythm changes. The tyre fitting zone in Karlovac adds a strategic layer, forcing teams to manage tyres without the benefit of a full service.
Sunday is shorter but remains decisive with 57.46 kilometres. The focus is on Alan–Senj, used twice, with the second pass acting as the Power Stage. The significant elevation change makes this stage particularly demanding under braking and on corner entry.
Croatia Rally 2026 is a pure asphalt event but far from uniform. Grip levels change constantly due to surface contamination and evolving road conditions. The roads combine smoother sections with abrasive mountain asphalt, creating a complex environment for tyre management.
Blind crests and fast direction changes require absolute precision. The second pass through stages introduces dirt from cuts, significantly reducing grip and increasing unpredictability.
WRC Croatia Rally 2026 is one of the purest technical challenges in the championship. The absence of external variables shifts the focus entirely onto driving quality.
Performance here is a direct reflection of technique, precision and consistency.