2026 Australian Rally Championship calendar released

Photos: CH Images

The calendar for the 2026 EROAD Australian Rally Championship (ARC) has been announced, with six events making up the new-look schedule.

The biggest changes to the calendar includes the shuffling around of most regular rounds.

For the first time, the ARC will start its first round in the Sunshine State, with the Brisbane Sporting Car Club hosting the season-opening Rally Queensland in April, before the championship heads out west for the Forest Rally in its usual period in late May.

“We are pleased to be able to announce the 2026 season calendar, as it allows teams and drivers to have one eye on next year,” ARC Event Director Jill Coppin said.

“I believe having a bit of a shuffle around the order of events creates a point of difference to previous years, and it’s exciting to have the season kick off in Queensland and to end in Victoria.

“Having Rally Queensland open up the season presents a brilliant opportunity for us, as the Gympie community has continued to build over the years and has shown lots of passion towards the ARC since our return – especially with a Friday night Rally Show like Wheels on Mary, which is always a hit amongst locals and will be the perfect way to start the year off.”

The 2026 season continues in June, with a newly-introduced event in Narooma, New South Wales to serve as the third round of the season.

Following a busy first half of the year, the Tasmanian round will run in mid-August, moving from the final round of the 2025 season to the fourth round of the 2026 season, with the popular rally taking place six weeks after New South Wales.

The trip down to the Apple Isle is then succeeded by the Adelaide Hills Rally, which runs in its exact same first weekend of October and remaining as the penultimate round.

The 2026 season will then wrap up in style towards the end of November with The Middle of Everywhere Gippsland Rally in Victoria, where the end of season awards night will take place.

“Victoria in November is a beautiful time of year and we are excited to be able to go to Gippsland for the season finale, which will also host our end of season awards night,” Coppin said.

“A big thank you to all the event promoters and key stakeholders, and we look forward to an even bigger season in 2026.”

The 2025 season continues next month with The Middle of Everywhere Gippsland Rally in Heyfield and Sale on 22–24 August.

2026 EROAD Australian Rally Championship Calendar
Round 1: Queensland / Brisbane Sporting Car Club – 17–19 April
Round 2: Western Australia / WA Car Club – 22–24 May
Round 3: New South Wales / Brindabella Sporting Car Club – 26–28 June
Round 4: Tasmania / ARC Promoter Pty Ltd – 14–16 August
Round 5: South Australia / Ultimate Motorsport Events – 2–4 October
Round 6: Victoria / Vroom Events – 20–22 November

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