The 2026 WRC Rally Chile BioBío is set to feature an entry list of 56 participants for its fifth edition, marking the largest field and highest concentration of international competitors since the event debuted in May 2019, according to official FIA documentation reported by regional motorsport outlets. Scheduled from September 10 to 13, 2026, as the twelfth round of the FIA World Rally Championship, the event will bring 40 international drivers to the BioBío Region alongside a prominent contingent of world champions and junior category contenders.
A Star-Studded Rally1 Field Led by Global Champions
The premier Rally1 division features 10 championship-class cars, anchored by two world titleholders. According to official FIA entry lists, nine-time world champion and previous Rally Chile BioBío winner Sébastien Ogier will headline the Toyota Gazoo Racing lineup alongside current championship leader Elfyn Evans, Sami Pajari, Takamoto Katsuta, and Oliver Solberg. Toyota enters the Chilean leg as the dominant manufacturer of the past decade in the World Rally Championship.
Hyundai Motorsport answers with 2024 world champion Thierry Neuville, Adrien Fourmaux, and part-time driver Esapekka Lappi. Meanwhile, M-Sport Ford has confirmed British drivers Joshua McErlean and Joe Armstrong to pilot its entries in the premier class, rounding out the top-tier manufacturer representation on the gravel roads around Concepción.
National Pride and Junior WRC Showdown in Concepción
Chilean representation centers heavily on the Rally2 and Rally3 categories. In Rally2, local fans will track seasoned national competitors Jorge Martínez, Alberto Heller, Pedro Heller, Emilio Rosselot, and Tadeo Rosselot. In the Rally3 division, established Copec RallyMobil regulars—including Felipe Padilla, Patricio Muñoz, Eduardo Kovacs, and Carlos Prieto—will be joined by Viña del Mar driver Gerardo Rosselot Valenzuela.
Rosselot Valenzuela will contest the Junior WRC class aboard a Ford Fiesta Rally3. The Junior World Rally Championship is making its first appearance outside of Europe, designating Chile as the host of its 2026 season finale with a double-points format. The category features a tight battle for the crown between Sweden’s Calle Carlberg, Turkey’s Ali Türkkan, and young Spanish prospect Gil Membrado.
Schedule, Route Changes, and Global Reach
The event is based at the Casino Marina del Sol (MDS) in Concepción. Action kicks off on Thursday, September 10, with the Shakedown in the El Manzano sector of Miramar, followed by the ceremonial start at the Plaza de la Independencia in Concepción starting at 18:00 local time. The competitive stages run from September 11 through September 13, covering 16 timed special stages totaling 311.70 competitive kilometers over a newly modified route that features approximately 40% changes compared to the previous year’s itinerary.
Entries span 25 countries across four continents, reflecting the broad international appeal of the South American fixture. The driver roster includes competitors from Chile (15), France (5), Peru (4), Finland (3), Ireland (3), Paraguay (3), the United Kingdom (2), Japan (2), Sweden (2), Estonia (2), Spain (2), Turkey (2), Ecuador (2), India (2), Belgium (1), Bulgaria (1), Uruguay (1), Bolivia (1), Australia (1), Mexico (1), and Greece (1), supported by co-pilots from Argentina, Chile, Ireland, France, Spain, Finland, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Estonia, India, and Ecuador.
Event Overview and Key Details
- Dates: September 10–13, 2026 (Shakedown and Ceremonial Start on Sept 10; Competition Sept 11–13)
- Location: BioBío Region, Chile (Headquarters: Casino Marina del Sol, Concepción)
- Status: Round 12 of the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC)
- Total Entries: 56 crews (10 Rally1, 19 Rally2, 21 Rally3, 6 Rally4)
- Competitive Distance: 311.70 kilometers across 16 timed stages
Teams and crews will complete final reconnaissance and administrative checks ahead of the September 10 shakedown. Fans looking to follow the latest timing updates and official standings can monitor announcements through the official WRC channels and local promoter updates.
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