FIA European Rally Championship

Created in 1953 and streamlined in 2004 when it moved away from the coefficient system to the format recognisable today, the FIA European Rally Championship is the oldest international rally series in existence with 2026 marking the 74th season.

While it takes great pride as the ultimate training ground for young talents aiming for the top of the sport, the ERC remains a career target for drivers and teams alike.

Mirroring the FIA Rally Sporting Pyramid with a clear path of progression from national level to the world stage, career-focused competitors can climb the ERC ranks by getting their first taste of international competition in either Rally5 or Rally4 machinery before moving up to Rally3 and then to the ERC’s headlining Rally2 category.

The FIA World Rally Championship is very much the next step for aspiring world champions who can switch to WRC3 or WRC2 depending on their level of experience and financial resource. However, the ERC remains a platform for all-comers to compete internationally, meaning age and ability are not barriers to entry.

Several sub-categories exist within the ERC – FIA ERC3, FIA ERC4, FIA Junior ERC, FIA Master ERC – and points are allocated to reward more drivers more often. The FIA European Rally Championship for Teams and FIA European Rally Championship for Tyre Suppliers are also up for grabs in 2026. The ERC Fiesta Rally3 Trophy offers a package of incentives on five events.

The 2026 season marks the fifth year of WRC Promoter GmbH’s tenure as promoter, which ensures that the ERC boasts a similar level of coverage and exposure as the WRC. This means fans across the globe can experience the excitement and drama of every stage broadcast live.

Five events on asphalt and two on gravel provide the challenge for the ERC drivers and their teams in 2026, while the championship benefits from the support and participation of four Official Tyre Partners, Hankook, Michelin, MRF and Pirelli, plus Official Motor Oil Partner ENEOS and Official Liquid Tools Partner JLM Lubricants. Hankook is also the Official Tyre Supplier to the FIA Junior ERC Championship.

Find out more by clicking HERE.