One of the world’s toughest motorsports comes to BBC iPlayer for free
Key Points
- BBC secures UK rights to every WRC round from 2027 to 2029
- All coverage free on BBC iPlayer, with digital rights included
- Live stages, the Wolf Power Stage and 60-minute highlights from each rally
- Four days of live coverage from the new Rally Scotland in Aberdeenshire
- First UK-hosted WRC round since 2019
The BBC has signed a three-year deal to broadcast every round of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) in the UK from 2027 to 2029, with all coverage available on BBC iPlayer.
WRC announced the agreement on Friday (18 September), describing it as a step towards growing the championship’s reach and visibility in the UK. The deal covers television, digital and social rights across BBC platforms.
The WRC takes drivers across snow, ice, gravel, asphalt and extreme heat on multiple continents each season. Each rally runs as a series of timed stages against the clock rather than a wheel-to-wheel race.
BBC Scotland, BBC Cymru Wales and BBC Northern Ireland will produce the coverage together, sharing staff, talent and resources across the three nations.
The BBC said the arrangement combines the expertise of all three teams into a single WRC output.
Coverage each season will include:
- Selected live stages from every round, including the closing Wolf Power Stage
- A 60-minute highlights programme from every rally
- Live coverage across all four days of Rally Scotland
- Digital clips, highlights and extra content across BBC platforms
The deal includes the new Rally Scotland, an Aberdeenshire-based event that joins the WRC calendar in 2027. It will mark the first WRC round held in the UK since 2019, when the championship last visited for Wales Rally GB.
“This is a fantastic addition to our sports portfolio with teams across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland coming together to bring audiences one of the world’s most thrilling motorsport championships,” said Rhuanedd Richards, Director of BBC Nations. “The return of Rally Scotland to the WRC calendar is particularly exciting and we look forward to capturing all the thrills and excitement for audiences when it kicks off next year.”
“The BBC is one of the country’s most trusted and influential media organisations, and its powerful combination of television, digital and social platforms gives us a unique opportunity to reconnect with existing rally fans while introducing the championship to a new generation,” said Éric Boullier, CEO of WRC Promoter.
“Free-to-air coverage will help us reach long-standing fans, welcome new audiences and show why the WRC’s return in 2027 is such an important step for British motorsport,” said Hugh Chambers, CEO of Motorsport UK, the organisation behind Rally Scotland.
WRC said the full 2027 calendar will be announced in the near future.
