The Rally Chile Biobío 2026 is one of the biggest events in global motorsport, and here we tell you everything you need to know about this competition, which will take place from September 10 to 13.
Some of the world’s best drivers will gather in our country to tackle the gravel roads through forests, rivers, and hills of the Biobío Region. Take part in this unique event and discover the impressive landscapes of Concepción and its surroundings.
Photography: Rally Chile Biobío / Luis Barra
Rally Chile Biobío 2026: World-class motorsport
The Rally Chile Biobío 2026 is one of the final rounds of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), the highest category of international rallying. In this edition, teams will cover more than 1,170 kilometers across 16 special stages.
Additionally, the competition is also part of the COPEC RallyMobil, the main Chilean rally championship, which in 2026 will be held in various cities between Copiapó and Coyhaique.
Furthermore, the Rally Biobío will host, for the first time outside Europe, the grand finale of the FIA Junior WRC world calendar. In this instance, motorsport’s youngest talents will determine the season’s title.
What are the World Rally Championship rules?
Unlike other motorsport competitions, in rally, cars do not race simultaneously. Each vehicle starts the course individually, and its objective is to complete each special stage in the shortest possible time. Each team consists of a driver and a co-driver. While the driver speeds, the co-driver reads pace notes, precisely indicating every turn, jump, surface change, or potential risk.
Rally Chile Biobío 2026 Routes and Calendar
Thursday 10 – Shakedown and opening party
The action kicks off early with the El Manzano-Miramar Shakedown (5.74 km), at 11:01 AM, where teams and drivers make their final adjustments before the official competition. In the afternoon, the party moves to Concepción, with the Ceremonial Start at 7:00 PM in the Plaza de la Independencia.
Starting Friday, each section is contested twice during the day (morning and afternoon):
| Day | Sections and times | Communes | Timed km |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 11 | Turquía (08:53 and 15:09) · Nuevo Rere (09:48 and 16:04) · Hualqui (10:36 and 16:52) | San Rosendo, Yumbel, Hualqui | ~101 km |
| Sat 12 | Pelún (09:08 and 15:08) · Lota (10:01 and 16:01) · María Las Cruces (11:05 and 17:05) | Coronel, Lota, Arauco | 139 km |
| Sun 13 | Carampangue (09:00 and 11:13) · Biobío (10:05 and 1:15 PM, Power Stage) | Arauco, Lota | ~71 km |
Check the official event website, where you will find maps, recommended access points, schedules, and designated areas to safely enjoy the competition.
The 2026 edition will feature 40% new routes compared to previous years.
How to experience Rally Chile Biobío 2026 as a spectator?
The main city of the Biobío Rally 2026 is Concepción, the regional capital where you will find a wide range of tourist services, from accommodations to rally-focused packages.
There will be exclusive and free public zones set up along the competition sections. To find your location by day, the route is concentrated in two main areas: the northern zone (San Rosendo, Yumbel, and Hualqui, 40-60 min from Concepción) on Friday, and the southern/coastal zone (Coronel, Lota, and Arauco) on Saturday and Sunday, where the Rally Village will also be located.
The Rally Village is an initiative created for rally fans, offering various leisure and social activities. It covers a race section shared by the Lota and Biobío stages. Each will be contested twice on Saturday 12 and twice on Sunday 13 of September, allowing visitors to enjoy this experience four times over the weekend.
Rally Village Map:
Additionally, certified tourism services, accommodations, and businesses will feature the Rally Seal, guaranteeing quality standards.
Safety tips for spectators
- Location: Remain in designated public areas, maintain a safe distance from the route, respect safety barriers, and never cross the track under any circumstances.
- Instructions: Carefully follow directions from security and event staff, supervise children at all times, and do not consume alcohol during the event.
- Conduct: Throwing objects onto the route or at vehicles, as well as using drones or dangerous equipment, is prohibited. Care for and respect the natural environment.
- Preparation: Be prepared for unexpected weather changes and know evacuation routes or emergency protocols.
Keep in mind that a car traveling at 120 km/h covers 100 meters in just 3 seconds: no driver will be able to swerve to avoid you at that speed.
How to get to Concepción to experience Rally Chile Biobío 2026
- By air: From Santiago, there are daily flights to Carriel Sur Airport (CCP), located in Talcahuano, about 12 kilometers from downtown Concepción. The flight takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes, and from the terminal, you can continue by taxi or private transport.
- By land: From the capital, Concepción is connected by road via Ruta 5 Sur, a journey of 5 to 6 hours by car. There are also intercity buses that make this trip, lasting between 6 to 7 hours.
What to do in the Biobío Region during your visit?
From the city of Concepción to the Pacific Ocean coast, you will find various attractions to discover before or after the competition.
- Concepción: The regional capital is known as “the city of rock” for its music scene and for being the birthplace of important national bands like Los Tres and Los Bunkers. Among its major attractions are Ecuador Park, Cerro Caracol, its wetlands, and the emblematic University of Concepción.
- Talcahuano: A city located next to Concepción, here you can discover the region’s maritime tradition in places like Caleta Tumbes and Chome. You can also visit the Monitor Huáscar, an icon of the War of the Pacific.
- Lota: Travel to Biobío’s mining past by visiting Isidora Cousiño Park and the Chiflón del Diablo Mine, one of the few coal mines in the world adapted for tourism with underground tours.
- Tomé and Penco: Communes full of towns with magical landscapes, beautiful views, and coastal gastronomy.
Sports tourism in Chile
Chile has become an attractive destination for sports tourism, hosting international competitions that combine the excitement of sport with unique landscapes and travel experiences. Find the 2026 calendar at the following link.
