Rijeka’s Korzo hosted a vibrant Ceremonial Start for the Croatia Rally, officially launching round four of the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship. Thousands of fans lined the streets alongside dignitaries, VIP guests, media representatives, and 51 competing crews, creating a lively atmosphere for the opening of the event.
The evening began with performances by local dance groups, followed by the FIA WRC Games—entertainment challenges featuring several drivers. A key highlight was the performance of the Croatian national anthem by LADO, the National Folk Dance Ensemble, before the first cars crossed the start ramp.
Romanian and Czech crews were first to start, while Croatian drivers received a particularly enthusiastic welcome from the home crowd. Priority crews and Rally1 drivers followed, with leading names such as Thierry Neuville, Elfyn Evans, Takamoto Katsuta, Sami Pajari, and Oliver Solberg officially flagged off by Croatian officials and international guests. The ceremony also included an autograph signing session with top drivers.
Several high-profile figures attended the event, including representatives of Croatian government institutions, the FIA, and international motorsport organizations. Team principals from Hyundai, M-Sport Ford, and Toyota Gazoo Racing also joined their drivers during the start proceedings.
The Ceremonial Start was broadcast live on national television (HRT2) and Rally.TV, and featured a flypast by Croatian Air Force recruits, adding to the spectacle of the evening.
This year’s Croatia Rally marks a return to the WRC calendar with a new base in Rijeka, shifting from its previous editions centered around Zagreb.
Competitive action begins on Friday with Stage 1, Vodice–Brest (14.12 km), starting at 09:13 in Istria. With all stages on the opening leg being new to the WRC Croatia Rally, crews face a true test of adaptability and pace-note precision from the very start.
