10 reasons to come to Secto Rally Finland
Secto Rally Finland is returning to the Jyväskylä Region once again, and this year we are celebrating the rally’s 75th anniversary! There will certainly be no shortage of speed and rally atmosphere. Are you familiar with all the unique experiences that this special anniversary year of Secto Rally Finland has to offer? Check 10 reasons why this is the right time to travel to Jyväskylä Region for this World Rally Championship event!
1. A route that changes every year and legendary gravel roads
This year’s Secto Rally Finland route features a combination of familiar classics and bold innovations. While the route map still features iconic special stages such as Saarikka, Parkkola, Laukaa and Harju, as many as 66% of the stages have changed compared to last year. There are also completely new stages that have never been driven in the World Rally Championship before.
These changes are intended to create a more compact event that better serves both competitors and spectators. This is reflected in shorter transfers, more competitive kilometres per day and a smoother event experience for everyone involved in rally week.
2. Lutakko Harbour – Finland’s most experiential harbour
Once again, the Paviljonki at Lutakko Harbour in Jyväskylä will bring all the excitement of the Finnish World Rally Championship together in one place. There, you can meet your favourite drivers, follow the special stages and soak up the race atmosphere in the heart of the bustling service park.
Rally week kicks off on Wednesday 29 July 2026 with a free Ceremonial Start for all, bringing speed and excitement to Lutakko Harbour even before the first special stage.
The pavilion is located right in the heart of Lutakko Harbour’s vibrant setting, where the excitement of the rally is complemented by summery lake views and the area’s diverse amenities. Enjoy cruises on Lake Päijänne, sample delicacies from the harbour’s restaurants or relax on the gentle warmth of the sauna rafts to make your rally day a perfect experience.
3. Up to 94% of visitors want to participate again
Secto Rally Finland is one of the largest annual public events in the Nordic countries, attracting hundreds of thousands of spectators each year.
In 2025, the Secto Rally Finland drew 81,000 spectators aged 12 and over to Jyväskylä, which was the highest number this decade. A total of 267,000 visits were made to the various event areas last year.
An impressive 94.7 per cent of visitors said they planned to attend the event again. These figures speak for themselves and show that Secto Rally Finland is a top-tier event that is best experienced in person!
4. The world’s best rally drivers
The Secto Rally Finland provides an unmatched opportunity to experience the world’s top rally drivers in action, highlighting exceptional speed and driving skill. The legendary special stages of the Jyväskylä Region, famous for their iconic jumps, together with the electrifying atmosphere, attract both international elite drivers and Finnish stars every year. Last year, Jyväskylä’s own Kalle Rovanperä claimed victory, continuing Finland’s proud tradition of rally excellence.
5. Sustainability at the Finnish World Rally Championship
Secto Rally Finland received a major international recognition in 2026, when UN Tourism and the FIA named the event the world’s most sustainable sporting event.
Secto Rally Finland has also previously been awarded the Sustainable Travel Finland (STF) label by Visit Finland, a significant recognition of responsible tourism and event management. Secto Rally Finland has demonstrated that even a large-scale sporting event can be both an exciting experience and genuinely sustainable – and can serve as a benchmark for the entire industry.
Read more about the sustainability work at Secto Rally Finland.
6. Summer of the Jyväskylä Region as its finest
The Jyväskylä Region offers rally fans plenty to see and experience! The rally route that circles around the Jyväskylä Region provides an excellent opportunity to explore the travel gems of Jyväskylä Region, such as the world-famous architecture of Alvar Aalto, unique UNESCO sites, and the beautiful nature filled with thousands of lakes.
Are you looking for more tips for the Finnish World Rally Championship? Check out 10 destinations along the rally route.
7. The Sauna Region of the World and Saunarally
The Jyväskylä Region is known as the Sauna Region of the World, and what better way to relax during the rally than by enjoying a sauna? Discover the world’s largest smoke sauna at Tupaswilla in Laukaa, experience historical smoke saunas at the Sauna Village in Jämsä, or enjoy the trendy sauna restaurant Sataman Viilu at the Lutakko harbor.
Did you know that alongside the Finnish World Rally Championship, the Sauna Rally is also organized? This event, inspired by the rallies, encourages locals and tourists to experience different sauna destinations throughout the Jyväskylä Region. However, the focus of the Sauna Rally is on throwing steam and relaxation rather than speed.
8. The unique nature of Jyväskylä Region
Did you know that Jyväskylä Region has as many as four national parks and about 3,700 lakes? The Jyväskylä Region is located in the heart of the most beautiful Lakeland Finland and is part of Europe’s largest continuous lake district. The Jyväskylä Region is also home to Finland’s longest and deepest lake, Päijänne. The region’s waters not only offer beautiful landscapes but also opportunities for various activities such as cruises, canoeing, and swimming.
9. The international atmosphere
As Finland’s largest annual sporting event, the World Rally Championship brings together spectators, competitors, and other stakeholders, making it a unique and community-oriented occasion. Secto Rally Finland attracts visitors to Jyväskylä Region from across the country and around the world.
In 2025, around 15 per cent of visitors came from abroad. During the event, the whole city of Jyväskylä has a warm, international atmosphere, and rally fans from all over the world can meet each other and enjoy the great sports event.
10. Secto Rally Finland celebrates its 75th anniversary
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Finnish round of the World Rally Championship, held on the legendary gravel roads of the Jyväskylä region. The milestone will bring an unprecedented festive atmosphere to both the event and the entire summer season.
To celebrate the anniversary, an exhibition dedicated to rally history will open at the Aalto2 Museum Centre in Jyväskylä. It will take visitors to the heart of rally racing, from gravel roads and pine forests to field parking areas, while also capturing the strong sense of community among volunteers. Titled “Rally Finland – 75 Years of Gravel, Heroes, and a Travelling Circus”, the exhibition will be on display from 13 June to 8 November 2026.
For more information about the anniversary year and its rally atmosphere, visit the Secto Rally Finland website.
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10 destinations along the rally route
Secto Rally Finland offers a unique opportunity to explore the unforgettable experiences of Jyväskylä Region.
Happening now
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Sauna Rally
Sauna Rally is an annual side event held during the Secto Rally Finland.
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