FIA completes deal of the centuary WRC & ERC

The FIA has announced what it calls one of the biggest commercial deals in the history of rallying, with Cosmobilis and Park Square Capital taking over the commercial rights to the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) and FIA European Rally Championship (ERC).

The long-term agreement is expected to bring fresh investment into the sport, improve the fan experience, and help grow rallying around the world, including in Africa. The FIA will continue to oversee the rules and governance of the championships, while the new promoter focuses on expanding the sport’s reach.

The move comes at an important time, with new WRC regulations set to be introduced in 2027 to make rallying safer, more competitive, and more affordable for manufacturers and teams.

For African rally fans, this is exciting news. Countries like Kenya and Uganda have some of the most passionate rally supporters in the world, and many will be hoping this new investment creates more opportunities for the sport across the continent.

During the rally service park, the FIA communications team spoke to fans about the announcement. The mood was overwhelmingly positive, with many supporters expressing excitement about the future of the WRC under its new ownership. Fans said they hope the changes will bring better coverage, bigger events, and continued growth of the championship.

President of the FIA, H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, said: “This is truly the deal of the century for rallying, and I am proud to announce this transformative step forward, and never before seen levels of investment.

“The future of our championships is at the heart of every decision we make, and we have ensured that we not only secure the right partner for today, but one who shares our long-term vision. My thanks to FIA Deputy President for Sport, Malcolm Wilson OBE and his dedicated team for delivering this, and I am looking forward to working closely with our new promoter.

FIA Deputy President for Sport, Malcolm Wilson OBE, said: “I have spent my entire professional life in the FIA World Rally Championship, so I know exactly what this sport means to its competitors, its organisers, and above all its fans. In over 40 years in the sport, I have never seen investment on this scale into rallying – this deal really is that significant and I’m full of optimism for what it means for the fans, competitors and organisers.