Gran Canaria holds its breath today. At 17:05, the first car rolls down the ramp on Plaza de Santa Ana. Straight after: the Estadio de Gran Canaria and the Super Special Stage — first of 18 timed stages.

Four days, more than 300 kilometres of tarmac, the full world elite. It's the second time the rally runs on the WRC calendar. But this 50th edition is no ordinary anniversary.

Storm Therese redrew the route

Two weeks ago, the organisers had to replan half the route. Storm Therese had washed out roads, destabilised slopes, made some original stages unusable. Even so, they pulled together a WRC-compliant itinerary — and the longest in the rally's history.

If you know the stages, you feel the difference. Sunday's eastern loop totals more than 78 timed kilometres, unusual for a WRC final day. Normally Sunday distances stay below 60 kilometres. That changes tyre strategy, fuel use, and the energy drivers and teams have left on the last day.

What's coming if you're on the island

Tonight (Thursday): Ceremonial start at Plaza de Santa Ana, then Super Special at the Stadium. Grandstands around the service park free to access.

Friday: Seven timed stages across the northern half. Valleseco–Artenara and Mogán–La Aldea are the headline stages.

Saturday: Six stages, including the well-known southern Maspalomas leg and two technical northern passes at Teror and Moya.

Sunday: Four stages in the east. Final one is the Wolf Power Stage Santa Lucía–Agüimes at 13:15. Last points of the rally, and most likely the deciding run.

For residents: plan around road closures

If you live in any of the stage municipalities, expect full road closures lasting several hours. Affected this year: Santa Brígida, Valleseco, Artenara, Mogán, La Aldea, Maspalomas, Teror, Moya, Gáldar, Ingenio, Telde, Valsequillo, Santa Lucía, Agüimes.

Exact closure windows are published by the Cabildo by the day before at the latest. If you have a medical appointment, a trip, or a transport booked through any of these zones — check today.

Who's racing for the win?

Adrien Fourmaux, Sami Pajari and Spain's Dani Sordo sit among the favourites. Sordo knows these stages from his long ERC career here on the island — it's his home race, and the Canarian crowd will push him.

Important context: Canarian tarmac runs cleaner than Croatia two weeks ago. Less loose gravel, higher grip, different tyre strategy. Teams relying on Croatia data will lose time here.

Why this event matters for the islands

The rally isn't just motorsport. It's four days of international attention on Gran Canaria, full hotels in an otherwise quiet week before summer, and — since the 2025 WRC debut — TV coverage in more than 150 countries.

For the residents of Valsequillo, whom we visited a few days ago (read the article), the rally has long been part of village identity. Three generations lining the road, decade after decade. This anniversary isn't celebrated there as marketing — it's a family festival.

Where to follow

Live stream: WRC+ (paid, official channel). Free-to-air TV: Teletenerife, Televisión Canaria (excerpts and summaries). Radio: Cadena SER Canarias with live commentary Friday to Sunday. On site: Access to service park and timed stages is free. Super Special grandstand seats are ticketed, on sale at the gate.

*We'll be reporting across the weekend on progress and results. If there are incidents on stage or last-minute changes, we'll update this article.*