The Automóvel Club de Portugal's event remains the only round of the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) held in Europe. The 2025 season, revealed today, will also feature events in the Dakar, Abu Dhabi, South Africa, and Morocco.
The drivers, riders and machines of the Dakar will return to Portugal from September 22 to 28 next year for the second edition of the bp Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal.
Today, the FIA, FIM, and ASO, the promoter of the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC), confirmed the 2025 calendar, with the Automóvel Club de Portugal’s event joining the Dakar in Saudi Arabia, the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, the South African Safari Rally (an entirely new addition), and the Rallye du Maroc, which will close the championship in October. These five events span across three continents, with the Portuguese event being the only one held in Europe, as was the case this year.
The inaugural bp Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal was held in April, covering over 1,700 kilometers of trails through the Alentejo, Ribatejo, and Spanish Extremadura. The reigning World Champion, Nasser Al-Attiyah (cars), and Spain’s Tosha Schairena (motorcycles) claimed victory in the first edition, which attracted thousands of spectators to the base of the event in Grândola and to the various stages held in both Portugal and Spain.
W2RC 2025 Calendar
- Dakar (Saudi Arabia): January 3–17
- Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge: February 21–27
- South African Safari Rally: May 18–24
- bp Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal: September 22–28
- Rallye du Maroc: October 10–17
Quotes
Carlos Barbosa, President of the Automóvel Club de Portugal:
"The continuation of the bp Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal in the World Rally-Raid Championship demonstrates the excellence of our sporting organizations. After the success of the first edition, the only one in Europe, praised by everyone—drivers, teams, federations, and promoter—we want to repeat and improve the formula in 2025 to provide another great spectacle for the millions of fans who follow us around the world and, once again, contribute to Portugal’s appeal as a destination."
David Castera, Motor Sports Director at Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO, the promoter of the FIA-FIM World Rally-Raid Championship), stated: "It will soon be three years since the launch of the championship. Our first priority was consolidating a set of races that are now well differentiated. The BP Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal is returning after its debut last season, just like the Desafío Ruta 40 YPF Infinia before it. The absence of Argentina from the 2025 calendar doesn't mean this race no longer has a place in the W2RC. In fact, what we want is to rotate these events. That's what we'll start doing next season."
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem expressed his enthusiasm for the 2025 cross-country rally season: “The FIA World Rally-Raid Championship continues to set the benchmark for cross-country rallying, and we are delighted to witness its growing success, both in terms of competition and global presence. It is pleasing to see the inclusion of South Africa in the calendar, and I look forward to following the action amidst the untamed landscapes Africa has to offer. The 2025 cross-country rally season will feature seasoned competitors and new challengers showcasing the FIA’s innovative technologies, all set against some of the most magnificent environments on the planet."
FIM President Jorge Viegas added : “2025 will mark a significant chapter for the FIM World Rally Raid Championship, with the calendar including five prestigious events across five countries and three different continents running from January right through to October. During the ten-month campaign that will start in Saudi Arabia and conclude in Morocco, it is important to note that championship will visit Africa in both hemispheres – south and north – which reinforces the global status of the series and confirms that the eventual winner will a true FIM World Champion. On behalf of the FIM I would like to thank our promoter ASO and all the other stakeholders who continue to work together for the growth and benefit of this incredible championship.”