Sporting News Historic Acropolis Rally moves to Lamia

With Lamia at its centre and the demanding special stages of Fthiotida, Central Greece and Karditsa as its backdrop, the Historic Acropolis Rally 2026 promises once again a three-day event full of action.

This year the Historic Acropolis Rally will take place on new dates, as the country’s most important historic rally event will be held from 22 to 24 May. The rally will also have a new base, with its headquarters moving to Lamia, a landmark city for rallying in Greece. The choice of Lamia marks a return to a place closely associated with the glorious history of the Acropolis Rally, offering ideal infrastructure and easy access to some of its most iconic special stages.

This year’s route is enriched with new stages in the Karditsa region, with the 2026 edition combining classic routes with new competitive challenges, while maintaining its historic character along with the spirit of renewal that has defined the event in recent years.

The relocation of the rally headquarters further north, together with the change of date, marks a new chapter for the event, which retains its international character for the fourth consecutive year. The Historic Acropolis Rally forms the second round of the FIA European Historic Gravel Rally Championship and once again is expected to attract dozens of crews from abroad eager to experience one of the most iconic historic rally events. At the same time, the rally counts towards the Greek Historic Rally Championship with coefficient 3, as well as the Greek Historic Gravel Cup.

Compared to recent years, the renewed route of the Historic Acropolis Rally passes through iconic special stages that have left their mark on the history of the Acropolis Rally. On the afternoon of Friday 22 May, the Ceremonial Start will take place at Thermopylae, with the imposing Leonidas Monument as its backdrop. Shortly afterwards, competitors will tackle the first stage of the rally, which will take place at night. With their rally lights switched on, the crews will face the clock on the Special Stage “Styrfaka”, measuring 12.07 km, before returning for the night to the Service Park, which will be hosted at the Lamia National Exhibition Centre. The Lamia National Exhibition Centre has traditionally served as the hub of Acropolis Rally activities as well as rounds of the Greek Rally Championship, offering the necessary infrastructure for teams and organisers. The Service Park of the Historic Acropolis Rally, as well as the rally headquarters, will be based within the Exhibition facilities.

On Saturday 23 May, the programme includes a total of seven special stages across the regions of Fthiotida and Karditsa. Crews will start early in the morning from the Service Park and will compete on the Special Stage “Kalamaki” (12.99 km), which is known from previous editions of the modern Acropolis Rally. Memories from the past will be revived on the rally’s third stage, “Makrirrachi” (8.37 km), which was closely associated with the Acropolis Rally and formed an integral part of the event during the 1980s and 1990s. The route then continues with the Special Stage  “Achladia”, measuring 13.45 competitive kilometres, before crews head to Anavra for the midday service. Afterwards, competitors will return to Makrirrachi for a second pass and then tackle Achladia for the second time. The crews will then head to another iconic special stage of the rally, “Tarzan”, measuring 15.05 km, a stage that has written its own unique chapter in the history of the Acropolis Rally.

“Tarzan” is considered one of the most famous and demanding stages of the Greek rally, combining fast sections with narrow and technical parts through the forests of Mount Agrafa, making it a true test for crews. The stage was first introduced to the national rally in the late 1970s, quickly gaining a special place in the memories of motorsport fans. After an absence of around 15 years, it returned to the spotlight with the return of the Acropolis Rally to the World Rally Championship in 2021. This year, “Tarzan” is included for the first time in the route of the Historic Acropolis Rally, giving historic rally cars the opportunity to compete on one of the country’s most characteristic and beloved stages. Saturday’s leg concludes with the Special Stage “Styrfaka” (12.07 km), after which crews will return to the Lamia National Exhibition Centre.

On Sunday 24 May, crews will depart from Lamia for the first special stage of the day, “Amfikleia” (13.17 km). This will be followed by the Special Stage “Elateia” (11.65 km), which was also included in the rally route in 2025, and then the demanding “Mavroneri” stage (13.35 km), before crews head to Aliartos for the midday service.

The day’s programme continues with the Special Stage “Thiva” (14.91 km), while the rally will conclude with the final special stage of the 2026 Historic Acropolis Rally, “Neochoraki”, measuring 13.62 competitive kilometres.

After a total of 13 Special Stages and 162.52 competitive kilometres, the crews will finish in Athens, with the Sacred Rock of the Acropolis as the backdrop.

The OMAE, in cooperation with SUPERFAST FERRIES, has once again secured a travel discount for passengers and vehicles with trailers travelling from Italy to Greece in order to participate in the Historic Acropolis Rally. SUPERFAST FERRIES will be the official transport sponsor of the event and offers a 30% discount for passengers, trucks, private cars and trailers, as well as cabins (subject to availability), for travel from Ancona / Bari / Venice to Igoumenitsa / Patras and return, during the period from Friday 15 May 2026 to Tuesday 25 May 2026. This offer does not apply to the fuel surcharge, is not valid for unaccompanied vehicles and cannot be combined with the company’s general offers. The highest applicable discount will be applied in each case. For reservations and ticket issuance, interested parties may contact OMAE and Ms Alexandra Kostala (fia_office@omae-epa.gr).

The Region of Central Greece is one of the main supporters of this year’s Historic Acropolis Rally, actively contributing to the organisation and smooth running of the event. Through its support, the unique rally roads of the region are highlighted and Central Greece gains international exposure. The Regional Unit of Karditsa also plays an important role by actively supporting the event and its presence in Thessaly. Through the rally, the Karditsa region receives additional promotion, hosting crews and visitors from across Europe who have the opportunity to experience the beauty of the area and its hospitality.

The Municipality of Lamia plays a key role in the organisation, as the city represents one of the main hubs of the rally, hosting the Service Park and the rally headquarters. The Historic Acropolis Rally contributes to promoting the city as a centre for major sporting events. At the same time, the Municipality of Sofades actively supports the presence of the rally in its region, strengthening the connection between the local community and motorsport while showcasing the area through a historic event of international prestige.

Valuable support to the organisers is also provided by the Region of Attica and the Regional Unit of Boeotia. In addition to the Municipality of Lamia and the Municipality of Sofades, the Historic Acropolis Rally is also supported by the Municipality of Athens, the Municipality of Thebes, the Municipality of Tanagra, the Municipality of Livadeia, the Municipality of Amfikleia-Elateia, and the Municipality of Aliartos.

The rally’s official broadcast partner is Cosmote TV, which in recent years has been present at all major motorsport events in Greece.

For all the latest news about the Historic Acropolis Rally, visit the official website:

Official Website: www.historicacropolis.gr
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/historicacropolisrallygr
Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/historic_acropolis_rally/
YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@PressOfficeOMAE

Press Office