Toyota City to continue hosting Rally Japan until 2028

The Japanese Toyota City is set to continue hosting the region’s Rally Japan event until 2028 in a new contract extension of the current agreement. 

Feature image credit: Red Bull Content Pool

On Sunday, it was announced that Toyota City will continue to host the Japanese event for another three years and it will remain the hub of the World Rally Championship’s Rally Japan from 2026 up until 2028. 

Helped by the popularity of Aichi-born Toyota Gazoo Racing driver, Takamoto Katsuta, Rally Japan has increased in popularity since its return in 2022. 

It’s reported over 160,000 spectators attended the event and official fan zones in last year’s edition of the rally. It’s also estimated that 370,000 fans lined up the road sections to watch the drivers compete in the event. 

This year is no different, in terms of its popularity as there has been strong demand for tickets as the sport heads to the Land of the Rising Sun in November for the season finale and championship decider. 

“I am thrilled that the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) has decided to continue to hold a Japan round for the 2026-2028 seasons,” said Toyota City mayor, Toshihiko Ota. 

“Rally Japan has been highly acclaimed both in Japan and overseas for its backdrop of iconic Japanese scenery that includes beautiful mountains,lakes and Shinto shrine gates.

“We hope to use this acclaim to foster a strong rally culture and expand the fan base at home and abroad. We look forward to delivering excitement and thrills to fans through intense competition between the world’s top drivers.”

It’s still all to play for in the WRC as Ott Tanak’s victory sets up a season finale showdown between himself and Thierry Neuville! #WRC / #CER https://t.co/qbSRgxrf7W

— Apex Motorsports (@ApexMSPRT) October 20, 2024

Again, since its return in 2022, the teams and crews will face demanding conditions on asphalt roads in the mountainous regions of Aichi and Gifu, surrounding Toyota City. 

Helping bring some significant exposure to Toyota City, the WRC heroes will once again compete in battle at the 45,000-seat Toyota Stadium, allowing fans to get close to the action in three super special stages. 

On the announcement, Toyota GR driver, Katsuta said:

“For sure it is big news for me, Japan and the Toyota team. It is very important to do the home rally for me, but of course for Toyota and all the Japanese fans.

“It is a very special thing – the important thing is how long you continue

these events – if you stop once the popularity goes down again. I believe it was a massive job from the organisers to make the extension so huge respect and a big thanks to them for doing it. 

“The next three years will be even more important for my career and life and for Japanese rally and motorsports. I try to do my best for sure and to get more fans.”

Whilst the agreement has been renewed, it remains subject to approval by the World Motor Sport Council.

Read more WRC here:

• WRC title to go down to Japan after Tanak wins CER
• Ogier takes WRC Central European Rally lead after Neuville nightmare
• Neuville takes Central European Rally lead inching to WRC title
• Ogier takes opening overnight lead in WRC Central European Rally
• Hyundai doing everying it can to win WRC titles
• Toyota’s Chile result is ‘big motivation boost’ heading to WRC Central European Rally

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Kamron Kent

Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.

I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.

Kamron Kent

Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.