Rally Finland begins its 75th anniversary celebrations in Jyväskylä today, Wednesday 29 July 2026. The opening programme is followed by four days of action on some of the fastest and most spectacular gravel roads in the FIA World Rally Championship.
Officially known as Secto Rally Finland, the event is the tenth round of the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship. Rally week begins with a parade and opening ceremony in central Jyväskylä on Wednesday evening, while the first competitive special stage takes place on Thursday.
The 2026 rally features 20 special stages covering approximately 316.6 competitive kilometres. A total of 61 crews have entered the event, including 11 Rally1 cars and a particularly strong Rally2 field.
What is Rally Finland?
Rally Finland is one of the oldest, fastest and most highly regarded events in international rallying. It is based in Jyväskylä and takes place on the smooth but extremely fast gravel roads of Central Finland.
The rally is famous for its blind crests, sweeping corners and long jumps. Average speeds regularly exceed 120 kilometres per hour, meaning that drivers must have complete confidence in their pace notes and co-drivers.
The event was first held in 1951 under the name Jyväskylän Suurajot, or the Jyväskylä Grand Prix. It later became internationally known as the Rally of the Thousand Lakes. The competition joined the European Rally Championship in 1959 and has been part of the World Rally Championship since the WRC was established in 1973.
Its combination of high speed and airborne cars has also earned Rally Finland the nickname “the Grand Prix of Gravel”. More information about the event’s development can be found in the organiser’s history of world rallying in Finland.
A special 75th anniversary edition
The 2026 event marks the 75th running of Rally Finland. Organisers have prepared a significantly revised route, with more than half of the competitive distance changed from the 2025 rally.
Two new stages, Sydänmaa and Hoho, have been added to Friday’s programme. Other stages have been reversed, extended or modified, creating an additional challenge even for drivers with considerable experience of Finland’s roads.
The event begins in Jyväskylä city centre with a special anniversary parade featuring current WRC stars and cars representing different periods of Rally Finland’s history.
Estonian drivers at Rally Finland 2026
Estonia has no crew in the top Rally1 category this year, but it is strongly represented in Rally2. Five Estonian drivers and their Estonian co-drivers are included in the official entry list.
Robert Virves and Jakko Viilo
Robert Virves and co-driver Jakko Viilo compete in a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 entered by Toksport WRT. Virves is one of Estonia’s leading international rally drivers and will be among the Estonian crews expected to challenge near the front of the highly competitive WRC2 field.
Romet Jürgenson and Siim Oja
Romet Jürgenson is joined by Siim Oja in an M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally2. Jürgenson continues his development in the WRC2 category after progressing through the FIA Rally Star programme.
Jaspar Vaher and Rait Jansen
Jaspar Vaher and Rait Jansen enter Rally Finland in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 operated by Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Next Generation. The fast Finnish roads will provide another important international test for the young Estonian crew.
Patrick Enok and Silver Simm
Patrick Enok and Silver Simm compete in a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2. Enok is another member of Estonia’s emerging generation of rally talent and is registered to score WRC2 points in Finland.
Joosep Ralf Nõgene and Aleks Lesk
Joosep Ralf Nõgene and Aleks Lesk complete the Estonian contingent. They will contest the rally in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 and are also included among the WRC2-registered crews.
The complete list of competitors is available through the official WRC Rally Finland entry list.
Rally Finland 2026 schedule
The times below are Finnish local time, EEST or UTC+3. Schedule changes remain possible, so spectators should also check the official Rally Finland route and timetable before travelling to a stage.
Wednesday 29 July: parade and opening
- 17:45: Rally Parade and Opening Ceremony in Jyväskylä
No competitive special stage is held on Wednesday. The day is dedicated to the 75th anniversary celebrations and the official presentation of the crews.
Thursday 30 July: shakedown and Harju
- 09:01: Shakedown Ruuhimäki – 4.12 km
- 19:05: SS1 Harju 1 – 2.58 km
The opening Harju stage combines gravel and asphalt in the centre of Jyväskylä. Although short, its tight corners, junctions and changing surfaces can immediately create small differences between the leading crews.
Friday 31 July: Laukaa, Saarikas, Sydänmaa and Hoho
- 08:44: SS2 Laukaa 1 – 18.16 km
- 09:45: SS3 Saarikas 1 – 15.82 km
- 10:50: SS4 Sydänmaa 1 – 19.04 km
- 11:58: SS5 Hoho 1 – 9.55 km
- 14:48: SS6 Laukaa 2 – 18.16 km
- 15:49: SS7 Saarikas 2 – 15.82 km
- 16:54: SS8 Sydänmaa 2 – 19.04 km
- 18:05: SS9 Hoho 2 – 9.55 km
- 19:05: SS10 Harju 2 – 2.58 km
Friday introduces the new Sydänmaa and Hoho stages. The crews complete two passes through the countryside before returning to Jyväskylä for a second run through Harju in the evening.
Saturday 1 August: the longest full day
- 08:01: SS11 Parkkola 1 – 16.76 km
- 09:42: SS12 Päijälä 1 – 10.55 km
- 10:36: SS13 Västilä 1 – 19.10 km
- 12:05: SS14 Leustu 1 – 16.44 km
- 15:01: SS15 Parkkola 2 – 16.76 km
- 16:42: SS16 Päijälä 2 – 10.55 km
- 17:36: SS17 Västilä 2 – 19.10 km
- 19:05: SS18 Leustu 2 – 16.44 km
Saturday is expected to play a decisive role in the final result. The programme includes the legendary Päijälä stage, a reversed version of Västilä and the extremely fast Leustu test.
Sunday 2 August: Himos-Jämsä finale
- 10:35: SS19 Himos-Jämsä 1 – 30.02 km
- 13:15: SS20 Himos-Jämsä 2 Wolf Power Stage – 30.02 km
The final day consists of two runs through the rally’s longest stage. Himos-Jämsä combines fast and flowing gravel roads, narrower forest sections, numerous crests and a steep descent towards the finish at Himos.
The second run is the Wolf Power Stage, where additional World Championship points are available. The podium ceremony and prize-giving will take place after the finish in the Himos-Jämsä area.
Who are the leading Rally1 contenders?
Toyota Gazoo Racing has entered five GR Yaris Rally1 cars. Its line-up includes Elfyn Evans, Takamoto Katsuta, Sébastien Ogier, Sami Pajari and Oliver Solberg.
Hyundai is represented by Thierry Neuville, Adrien Fourmaux and Finnish home favourite Esapekka Lappi. M-Sport Ford has entered Josh McErlean, Jon Armstrong and Latvia’s Mārtiņš Sesks.
Finnish spectators will be particularly interested in Pajari and Lappi, while Toyota will be looking to continue its traditionally strong record on its home roads.
How to follow Rally Finland
Every special stage can be watched live or on demand through Rally.TV. Live timing, results, maps and event updates are also available from the official WRC event page.
Spectators travelling to Jyväskylä or the special stages should consult the organiser’s official instructions regarding tickets, parking, shuttle buses and stage safety. Rally cars approach spectator areas at extremely high speeds, and visitors must remain within designated viewing zones at all times.
Frequently asked questions about Rally Finland 2026
When does Rally Finland 2026 start?
Rally week begins on Wednesday 29 July with the Rally Parade and Opening Ceremony in Jyväskylä at 17:45. The shakedown and first competitive special stage take place on Thursday 30 July.
When does Rally Finland 2026 finish?
The rally finishes on Sunday 2 August. The final Himos-Jämsä Wolf Power Stage begins at 13:15 Finnish local time.
How many stages are included in Rally Finland 2026?
The rally has 20 competitive special stages covering approximately 316.6 kilometres.
Which Estonian drivers are competing in Rally Finland 2026?
The Estonian drivers on the official entry list are Robert Virves, Romet Jürgenson, Jaspar Vaher, Patrick Enok and Joosep Ralf Nõgene. All five compete in Rally2 cars.
Is Ott Tänak competing in Rally Finland 2026?
No. Ott Tänak is not included on the official 2026 Rally Finland entry list.
Where is the Rally Finland service park?
The main service park is located at Jyväskylä Paviljonki, close to the city centre and Jyväskylä railway station.
Where can Rally Finland be watched live?
Every special stage is available through Rally.TV. Official live timing and rally updates are also provided on WRC.com.
Picture (C) Honza Fronek and Chanz.
