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Rally USA puts Knoxville at the centre of its 2027 return

Rally USA has set out the geography of its 26–29 August 2027 event: Knoxville will house the teams and rally headquarters, while Nashville hosts the ceremonial start. Gravel stages will cross Tennessee and Kentucky. The route announcement follows the earlier decision to bring the World Rally Championship back to the United States after its last visit in 1988.

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An empty gravel road climbs into a right-hand bend through green woodland, with a drainage edge and exposed roots along the bank.

Knoxville houses the teams and rally management

Rally USA has chosen Knoxville, in the US state of Tennessee, as the headquarters for its World Rally Championship event on 26–29 August 2027. The organisers announced the host-city arrangements on 27 October. The new details set out how the rally will operate after the earlier decision to return the championship to the United States.[1], [2]

World’s Fair Park and the Knoxville Convention Center will host the WRC Arena, combining the team base with a fan festival. Driver appearances and live music are included in the programme. The organiser’s offices are inside the city’s Sunsphere building. Rally USA is organised by Knoxville-based Podium Event Partners LLC.[1]

Nashville opens a route across two states

The ceremonial start will be held on Lower Broadway in Nashville, Tennessee. The competitive route then extends from the Appalachian Mountains to the Cumberland Plateau. Organisers plan stages in more than 15 counties across Tennessee and neighbouring Kentucky, putting the event’s opening ceremony and its operational headquarters in different cities.[1], [2]

Organisers describe the terrain as fast gravel roads with technical forest sections and marked elevation changes. The surrounding programme also includes celebrations in communities in East Tennessee and Eastern Kentucky.[1]

The championship returns after its 1988 visit

The championship’s return to the United States was announced on 8 October. The United States last hosted a World Rally Championship round in 1988. The October route announcement adds the named host city, opening location and regional stage plan to that previously confirmed return.[1]

References

  1. News sourceRally USARally USA details Knoxville base and 2027 route↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5
  2. News sourceGrande PrêmioRally USA names Knoxville base and Nashville ceremonial start↩1↩2

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