Big blow as Ireland to miss out on hosting WRC Rally in 2025

In a surprise turn of events for the car rallying community of Ireland, it has been announced that Motorsport Ireland are withdrawing their bid to host the FIA World Rally Championship next year.

Limerick, Waterford and Tralee, Co Kerry, were initially chosen to host the major motorsport event in 2025.

The news that Motorsport Ireland was entering the bid to host the global event landed in January, subject to governmental funding. Limerick Racecourse, Munster Technological University (MTU) North Campus in Tralee and the South Quays in Waterford city were tipped to host the event.

A boost to the local economies would have expected to the tournament to bring in over €100m, as well as up to 250,000 visitors.

The FIA World Rally Championship is the second only to Formula One in terms of following in the motorsport discipline. In 2022 the series had a global TV audience of 841m and has a combined social media following of 6.87 million.

Motorsport Ireland confirmed that the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media has not been able to make a financial commitment to host the event in time for the bidding process deadline.

"It is with deep regret that Motorsport Ireland today confirm that Ireland is no longer being considered to host a round of the FIA World Rally Championship in 2025.

"On Monday, April 15 Motorsport Ireland finally received confirmation from Minister Byrne, Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, that his Department would need “at least six months” to undertake further independent economic assessments and analysis of our proposal." 

Read the full statement here.

Motorsport Ireland President Aiden Harper said: “I am saddened that it has come to this but unfortunately, we are left with no option. We always stated that the FIA World Rally Championship could only come to Ireland with the financial support of Government while always being aware that the funding may not be forthcoming.

"It is a great shame to have to hand this great opportunity, and the economic benefit it would bring, over to another awaiting country.”

"Motorsport Ireland notes and appreciates Minister Byrne’s commitment to undertaking the necessary assessments and analysis required and will continue to communicate with him, his Department and WRC Promoter GmbH to see if alternative hosting years are possible beyond 2025."