Modern Tyres Ulster International Rally

The 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most memorable editions in the event's long history, taking place over 7–8 August 2026 and marking the 50th anniversary of this iconic motorsport festival in Northern Ireland.

Organised by the Northern Ireland Motor Club, the rally has grown from a local summer highlight into a major international stage rally, and the 2026 running will be hosted from Ballymena for the first time, offering fresh vistas and new challenges for competitors and fans alike.

Title sponsorship by Modern Tyres continues for a sixth consecutive year, reaffirming the company's commitment to one of the region's most celebrated motorsport events and reflecting the rally's strong growth and prominence within the rallying community.

Historically, the Ulster Rally has been a key round of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, bringing together top rally crews from across the UK and Ireland to tackle demanding closed-road tarmac stages, renowned for their technical complexity and scenic landscapes.

A major new development for 2026 is the inclusion of the FIA European Historic Rally Championship (EHRC) on the official calendar, meaning that in addition to contemporary competitors, fans will also see a selection of classic Pre-2000 rally cars — vehicles that evoke some of rallying's most iconic eras — competing on the same stages.

This inclusion highlights the event's growing international stature and its ability to bridge the gap between modern top-level rally competition and celebrated historic rallying heritage. Organisers are already busy planning the event's structure, with entry details, stage locations, and timetables to be announced closer to the date.

As with previous years, rally crews can expect a two-day format featuring a mix of fast, challenging closed-road tests that demand precision driving, strategic preparation, and the kind of intense competition that has become synonymous with the Ulster Rally name.

Event schedule

• Friday 7 August: 1:00pm–10:00pm
• Saturday 8 August: 9:00am–6:00pm