The holding of the European and World Rally Championship in Croatia has been confirmed

The WRC Croatia Rally has been held in Croatia since 2021 and has a significant socio-economic impact for the country.

Author  HrTurizam.hr

November 15, 2024

The signing of the contract between the Croatian organizer and the WRC promoter officially confirmed that Croatia will host the European Rally Championship (ERC) in 2025, as well as the World Rally Championship (WRC) in 2026 and 2027.

The contract was signed by the President of the organizing committee of Croatia Rally Daniel Shashkin and CEO of WRC Promoter GmbH Simon Larkin in the presence of the State Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Croatia, Josip Pavić, and the President of the Croatian Auto and Karting Association, Robert Markt.

"With the help of the government of the Republic of Croatia as well as all our partners, Croatia will host the ERC next year, and then the WRC in the following years. I would also like to thank the WRC promoter for recognizing the quality of our organization and deciding to continue holding these automobile competitions in Croatia. Thanks to our experience and successful organization, we are consolidating Croatia as the center of motorsport, and I believe that these events - both the European and World Rally Championship - will successfully contribute to the global promotion of Croatia as an attractive tourist and sports destination, especially as they are reflected in the postseason. that is, the preseason. Thanks also to the City of Zagreb, our host, as well as all our partners and the counties where the WRC races are held, for their support", said Daniel Šaškin, president of the Croatia Rally Organizing Committee.

Wrc wrc saskin larkin

The European Rally Championship - ERC Croatia Rally will be held from October 2 to 5, 2025, while the World Championship WRC Croatia Rally will return to Croatia in 2026 and 2027. in its traditional April term.

"When the Croatia Rally joined the WRC in 2021, we knew it would become a 'modern classic', and in each of the past four years it has not disappointed us. We are delighted to continue this adventure for the next three years in all our championships. This will certainly add a new sporting challenge to the ERC, which we think will attract not only our regular ERC competitors, but probably some WRC teams as well. We would like to thank the government of the Republic of Croatia at all levels - led by the Minister of Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Croatia Tonči Glavin, as well as Daniel Šaškin and Marin Frčka, the president and vice president of the Organizing Committee, as well as the entire Croatia Rally team, for their unwavering support for this project", said Simon Larkin, executive director of WRC Promoter GmbH.

The signing of the contract follows the Decision on the approval of the Government of the Republic of Croatia to highlight the candidacy and the Conclusion on the co-financing of the European Rally Championship (ERC) 2025 and the World Rally Championship WRC for 2026 and 2027, adopted at the session of the Government of the Republic of Croatia held on October 3, 2024. . year. With this decision, all appropriate guarantees were provided, which repositioned Croatia in the calendar of international rally competitions.

"I am extremely proud, especially as a former athlete, that I belong to the government of the Republic of Croatia, which recognizes and supports sports, including major sports events such as the WRC Croatia Rally. This is a really big sporting event, not only because of its importance for motoring in Croatia, but also because of the economic impact on the destinations where it is held. WRC Croatia Rally combines sport and tourism in an extraordinary way, to the satisfaction of all stakeholders", stated the State Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Croatia, Josip Pavić.

Marjan radovic 2021 wrc croatia rally wine peak novigrad na dobri

Robert Markt, president of the Croatian Auto and Karting Association, expressed his satisfaction with the continuation of the automobile championship in Croatia.

"This contract, as well as the events themselves, are extremely important for Croatian motorsport and its development, and it also has long-term, direct benefits for the Croatian economy and the promotion of Croatia as a top sports destination. I thank the government of the Republic of Croatia for recognizing the value of this project" said Markt.

The WRC Croatia Rally has been held in Croatia since 2021 and has an extremely significant socio-economic impact for Croatia.

A study of the impact of the WRC Croatia Rally by the Faculty of Economics in Zagreb showed that this event contributes to the development of the local economy through increased tourist attendance, the promotion of Croatia as a sports destination and strong consumption in hospitality and accommodation. 

Data from the economic study reveal that the WRC races in Croatia have been watched live by more than a million viewers to date, while the image from Croatia via TV broadcasts and recordings has been seen by almost 100 million viewers annually in 165 countries around the world.

The above is strongly reflected in the increased number of overnight stays in the regions where the event is held, while the total economic effects for the Republic of Croatia are estimated at over 105 million euros per season. 

It is anticipated that the ERC and WRC will generate additional economic benefits in the coming years, providing an opportunity for further development of the tourism and service sectors.

/ / / Croatia does not lose the WRC permanently: guaranteed guarantees and financial resources for 2026 and 2027

Photo and source: WRC Croatia Rally

Author  HrTurizam.hr

November 15, 2024