Motorsport fans will have a unique opportunity to greet their rally favorites live, take photos with them, get autographs, and follow them onto the stages of continental Croatia, where the European champion will be decided.
The European Rally Championship returns to Croatia after more than twelve years, just ahead of the major comeback of the World Rally Championship (WRC), which has already been confirmed for April 2026. This season, the ERC brings a dramatic battle for the top of the standings: Mikołaj Marczyk from Poland leads with 146 points, but Italian Andrea Mabellini is right behind him with 131, while Jon Armstrong holds third place with 113 points. This tight fight further raises expectations for the upcoming special stages on Croatian roads.
The first glimpse of rally cars in action will come on Friday, October 3, with the qualifying stage, followed by the official free practice session – the so-called Shakedown – offering a preview of a weekend full of speed and adrenaline.
Saturday, October 4, is reserved for six challenging special stages at spectacular locations: Krašić, Sošice, Hartje, Stojdraga, Breganica, and Smerovišće.
A day later, on Sunday, October 5, the action moves to the heart of Hrvatsko Zagorje. Drivers will face four stages around Veliko Trgovišće, Klanjec, Zagorska Sela, and Kumrovec. A special highlight will be the Power Stage in Kumrovec, where additional points are awarded – and where the winner of the ERC Croatia Rally 2025 will be crowned.
The awards ceremony will be held in Zagreb, in front of INA’s office building, on Sunday, October 5, starting at 3:45 PM, while later that evening (from 8 PM), the Peti Kupe venue will host the grand ERC season finale and the official announcement of the European Rally Champion.
“ERC Croatia Rally brings a top-class sporting spectacle, while at the same time confirming Croatia as one of the most attractive rally destinations in Europe. This event is not only an opportunity to enjoy the thrills of motorsport, but also a powerful platform for promoting Croatia, its destinations, and sport as a whole,” said Daniel Šaškin, President of the ERC Croatia Rally Organizing Committee.
ERC Croatia Rally 2025 combines elite sport, spectacular locations, and the strong emotions of motorsport competition – establishing Croatia as an unmissable point on the European rally map.
On the official Croatia Rally website, under the Spectators section, maps of all ten special stages scheduled for October 4 and 5 are now available. This year’s edition also introduces a novelty – the qualifying stage on Friday, October 3, where crews will fight for the starting order ahead of the Shakedown. More information can be found at www.rally-croatia.com
Photo credit: ERC Croatia Rally