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Ireland Revs up Bid to Host World Rally Championship by 2029
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Ireland is poised to reignite its pursuit of a coveted spot on the World Rally championship (WRC) calendar, with Motorsport Ireland planning to re-engage with government officials this summer. The nation last hosted a WRC round in 2009, and a renewed effort is underway to bring the high-octane motorsport spectacle back to Irish soil.
Motorsport Ireland initially launched a bid in 2024, proposing a rotational hosting model across Kerry, Limerick, and the southeast, centered in Waterford, for the years 2025-2027. However,the timeline for inclusion in the 2025 season was missed,prompting a request from the government for an independent economic assessment to justify public funding.
Following a pause in November to allow for an internal “strategic review,” the organization is now preparing a revised proposal. According to Aiden Harper, president of Motorsport Ireland, the focus has shifted. “We hope to be engaging with the major bids unit around June or July of this year,in order to put a meaningful proposal together,” Harper stated. “To get on that calendar we would have to be showing an expression of interest by November this year and we would be looking at 2028 or 2029 to be the first year of the WRC if it returns to Ireland.”
Streamlining the Bid: A Single Location Focus
the strategic review, designed to “futureproof the sport and inform future strategic goals,” has led to a significant change in approach. Rather than a rotating host city model, Motorsport Ireland will now concentrate on securing a single, dedicated location for the WRC event. Harper explained that the revised plan will “look at one location rather than three on rotation.”
Revised Timeline – Motorsport Ireland aims to submit an expression of interest by November of this year, targeting a potential WRC return in 2028 or 2029.
Economic Impact: A €300 Million Return on Investment?
Motorsport Ireland has consistently emphasized the potential economic benefits of hosting the WRC. In 2024, the organization projected a return of €300 million over three years, contingent on €15 million in state funding. While acknowledging rising costs, Harper affirmed the validity of these projections, citing triumphant case studies from comparable countries. “We have used case studies from other countries of similar sizes, where the numbers have been proven. We can certainly stand over them. But as every year goes on, costs go up,” he said.
The organization recognizes the critical need for government support, with Harper stating that approximately 95% of WRC events globally are fully government funded. “We couldn’t host this without being fully Government funded. Motorsport Ireland don’t have a major bank account to host this,” he added.The bid will be submitted through the Department of Sport’s Major International Sports Events Policy, which has previously supported events like the NFL game at Croke Park and the upcoming ryder Cup in Adare.
Funding Requirement – Approximately 95% of WRC events globally rely on full government funding, and Motorsport Ireland estimates needing substantial state support to host the event.
A Legacy of Success: Rally Ireland 2007
The prospect of a WRC return evokes positive memories of the inaugural Rally Ireland in 2007. Ronan Morgan, a co-promoter of the event, highlighted the extensive preparation involved – a four-year process that included pilot and candidate events, alongside crucial political engagement. The 2007 rally was especially significant as the first major cross-border sporting event as the Good Friday Agreement.
Academic research from Ulster University revealed that the event attracted between 100,000 and 150,000 attendees and generated at least €39 million for the economy of the northwest region. Furthermore, it achieved the second-highest television viewership of any event at the time. Morgan emphasized the event’s success in showcasing Ireland’s capabilities. “It proved that Ireland can step up and put on the big world show, when necessary,” he said. “Clearly we are showing that big events to come like the Ryder Cup and whatever it might be. There are lots of big events that Ireland can host and we are well capable of doing so.”
Rally Ireland 2007 Impact – The 2007 Rally ireland attracted 100,000-150,000 attendees and generated at least €39 million for the northwest region’s economy
