The BBC will show live coverage of the FIA World Rally Championship for the first time since 2001, starting from next year.They have landed the rights for the major event for the next three years, covering all 14 rounds of each WRC season. The World Rally Championship will be back on the BBC for the first time in 25 yearsGettyEvery round and the Power Stage will be shown live on the BBC, with them also showing hour-long highlight programmes.The deal also includes coverage of the four days of Rally Scotland, which makes its debut on the calendar in 2027.It will be the first time the UK hosts a WRC round in seven years.Content from across the WRC will be available on TV as well as online via BBC iPlayer and on other digital platforms.BBC deal ‘an important step’It’s been 25 years since the BBC last showed coverage of the World Rally Championship, so it’s a big moment for the sport.And Éric Boullier, CEO of WRC Promoter, said: “Our partnership with the BBC marks an important step in our strategy to grow the WRC’s reach and visibility in the UK. “The BBC is one of the country’s most trusted and influential media organisations, and its powerful combination of television, digital and social platforms gives us a unique opportunity to reconnect with existing rally fans while introducing the championship to a new generation. “With Rally Scotland joining the calendar next year, the timing could not be better to strengthen the WRC’s presence in such an important and historic market for rallying.”Meanwhile, Hugh Chambers, CEO of Motorsport UK, the organisation behind Rally Scotland, said: “Bringing the World Rally Championship back to the UK is a major moment for our sport, and this BBC agreement gives it the national platform it deserves. “Free-to-air coverage will help us reach long-standing fans, welcome new audiences and show why the WRC’s return in 2027 is such an important step for British motorsport.”Free-to-air coverage of the WRC will be available from 2027 through to 2029GettyAll change for World Rally ChampionshipThe news of a fresh BBC rights deal comes just a day after the WRC were forced to make a major change to its calendar. The 2026 season should be heading into its final two rounds, but they have shortened the schedule by one event.Instead of 14 rounds, there are now 13, as Rally Saudi Arabia was cancelled due to the ongoing unrest in the Middle East.In a statement, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: “We have worked closely with our partners to explore every possible route that would allow Rally Saudi Arabia to take place as planned.“These are never easy decisions, particularly after the significant work undertaken by everyone involved in preparing for the event.“While the WRC element of the event will not take place this year, our confidence in the organisers and in the long-term future of the rally remains unchanged.”