Motorsport Ireland engaging with Government regarding World Rally Championship return

Motorsport Ireland has announced that it will continue to engage with Minister Thomas Byrne and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for the return of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) to Ireland. This follows recent negotiations with the WRC Promoter that mean that there remains the opportunity for hosting the WRC from 2026.

In order to assess the viability of Ireland hosting the WRC from 2026, Minister Byrne and his Department have informed Motorsport Ireland that any decision by Government to provide state funding to support the hosting of major sporting events needs to be underpinned by an independent economic analysis and business case, which should address the following:

– A detailed and comprehensive inventory of the services required to be provided by national and local government (including transport, security and other considerations);

– an assessment of the economic benefits and costs accruing from the event; and

– an analysis of the sustainability of the event.

Motorsport Ireland look forward to working with Department officials on this exciting project.

Speaking on the developments, Motorsport Ireland President Aiden Harper said; “This is a progressive step in Motorsport Ireland’s plans to bring the World Rally Championship back to this island. Over the last month we have had constructive discussions with Minister Byrne and WRC Promoter and we look forward to assisting Department officials with any additional information they require while carrying out their analysis. I greatly appreciate Minister Byrne’s commitment to undertaking the necessary assessments to consider an event of this nature. Ireland has demonstrated it can hold international motorsport events in the past and I have no doubt we will again in the future.”