The roar of rally cars could soon echo through the streets of Monaco once more, as organisers of the Monte Carlo Rally reveal plans to resurrect the iconic super-special stage on the Formula 1 circuit—nearly two decades after its last appearance.
Slated to kick off the 2026 World Rally Championship between January 18-25, the 94th edition of the Monte Carlo Rally is already shaping up to deliver a mix of nostalgia and innovation. The headline development? A proposed return of the Monaco Circuit stage to close out Saturday’s action—using the famed lower section of the Grand Prix track, where the likes of Senna and Schumacher once carved legends.
If greenlit, the stage would mark the first time since 2008 that the WRC winds its way through Monaco’s tight, twisting harbourside streets. To accommodate this, the rally will be anchored in the Principality on Saturday rather than the usual Sunday, shifting logistics to allow for this crowd-pulling spectacle.
While the Monaco stage remains “under consideration”, the rest of the route has been locked in, and it’s no Sunday cruise. Rally fans can expect 17 stages across the week, including a punishing 38-mile opener, the debut of the La Bréole – Bellaffaire stage on Saturday, and a longer final day compared to this year’s route.
Whether it’s the glitz of Monte Carlo or the treacherous Alpine passes, the 2026 Monte Carlo Rally promises to be a thrilling blend of prestige and punishment. With the potential return of Monaco’s legendary F1 stage and a route stacked with fresh challenges, next January’s opener looks set to test both nerves and nostalgia.
