Rally del Paraguay 2025 Opens as FIA Celebrates Motorsport Growth

The FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) reached a new milestone as Paraguay

hosted its first rally in 2025. The inaugural Rally del Paraguay began in Encarnación,

in the Itapúa region, where motorsport fans gathered to witness history. FIA

president Mohammed Ben Sulayem joined Paraguayan President Santiago Peña at

the ceremonial start, marking the nation’s official entry into the global rally stage.

The event represents more than a debut for Paraguay. It highlights the country’s

long-standing enthusiasm for motorsport and strengthens the WRC’s expansion into

new regions. As the championship prepares to conclude the season in Saudi Arabia

later in 2025, the FIA sees these developments as the beginning of an exciting new

chapter for rallying worldwide.

The opening of the Rally del Paraguay 2025 signalled a proud moment for the

nation’s motorsport community. Thousands of fans gathered in Encarnación to

celebrate the country’s debut on the WRC calendar, an achievement built on

decades of rally tradition. For many, the event reinforced Paraguay’s identity as a

nation where racing is not only entertainment but also a shared passion deeply

rooted in culture.

At the ceremonial start, Mohammed Ben Sulayem emphasized Paraguay’s

importance to the WRC’s growth. He praised the country’s commitment to motorsport

and acknowledged the support of President Peña and the Touring y Automóvil Club

Paraguayo. Their efforts, he said, helped bring the rally to life and positioned

Paraguay as a key player in the championship’s future.

The 2025 season showcases the FIA’s strategy to broaden the championship’s

reach. After Paraguay’s debut, the WRC will conclude in Saudi Arabia with a brand-

new rally in November. According to Ben Sulayem, these additions represent more

than calendar changes — they mark the start of an era aimed at attracting new fans

and inspiring younger audiences worldwide.

The FIA has also launched a tender process to identify a new commercial rights

holder for the WRC, signalling its focus on long-term development. Discussions with

current partners, Red Bull and KW25, led to the decision to open the next phase of

management. With over 1.3 billion cumulative TV viewers and more than 4 million

live spectators in 2024, the championship’s popularity continues to rise,

strengthening its position as one of motorsport’s global leaders.