Junior WRC to Open 2027 Season at Rally Sweden

Junior WRC is one of rallying’s most important development platforms and has produced world champions such as Sébastien Loeb, Sébastien Ogier and Elfyn Evans. The championship features identical cars, giving young drivers the opportunity to compete against international opposition in some of the world’s most challenging rallies.

The championship will traditionally kick off at Rally Sweden, where the fast, snow-covered winter roads of Västerbotten await the competitors.

“We are really looking forward to welcoming Junior WRC back to Rally Sweden. It is a championship that plays an important role in the future of rallying, and we are proud to host the opening round of the season for the next generation of drivers. Our stages offer a unique challenge, and the Junior WRC category always delivers exciting competition,” says Stig Rune Kjernsli, Clerk of the Course at Rally Sweden.

Sweden’s Proud History in Junior WRC

Sweden has a proud history in the Junior World Rally Championship. Since the championship was introduced in the early 2000s, Swedish drivers have claimed seven championship titles, more than any other nation.

Sweden’s Junior World Champions include Per-Gunnar Andersson, Patrik Sandell, Pontus Tidemand, Emil Bergkvist and Tom Kristensson. The latest addition to that list is Mille Johansson, who secured the title in 2025 alongside co-driver Johan Grönvall.

Swedish drivers have also enjoyed considerable success on home soil.

Most recently, Calle Carlberg and Jørgen Eriksen claimed victory at Rally Sweden in 2026. Two years earlier, in 2024, Mille Johansson and Johan Grönvall took the win. Tom Kristensson also has two victories to his name, winning alongside Henrik Appelskog in 2019 and Joakim Sjöberg in 2020.

Dennis Rådström and Johan Johansson were victorious in 2018, while Per-Gunnar Andersson and Jonas Andersson claimed the Junior WRC win back in 2006.

Expanded Prize Package and Revised Calendar for 2027

Several changes are being introduced to Junior WRC for 2027. The championship will feature five rounds, all held in Europe, with the aim of reducing costs for competitors and making the series more accessible.

Following the season opener in Sweden, the championship will visit Croatia Rally, Rally d’Italia and Secto Rally Finland before concluding at Rally Scotland.

The prize package for the future Junior World Champion is also being expanded. The winner of the 2027 Junior WRC title will receive a seven-round WRC2 programme in 2028, compared to the previous four-round package.

Tyre supplier Hankook is also supporting the initiative by providing competitors with a number of free tyres throughout the season.