10 reasons to come to Secto Rally Finland
Secto Rally Finland is returning to the Jyväskylä Region once again and there won’t be any lack of speed and rally atmosphere. Do you already know of all the unique experiences during Secto Rally Finland this year? Check 10 reasons why this is the right time to travel to Jyväskylä, Finland for this World Rally Championship event!
1. The legendary gravel roads known by rally fans
The Finnish World Rally Championship route offers familiar locations this year, but also many innovations! While the route map includes familiar names from Ruuhimäki to Myhinpää and from Harju to Ouninpohja, the route has been renewed by about 50% from last year. Many of the changes have been aimed at increasing the comfort of both drivers and rally fans, for example by expanding parking areas and viewing zones.
The rally atmosphere will again be centered in the Jyväskylä harbor this year, where a free and open ceremonial start will be held on Wednesday, July 30th. The official event program will be published closer to the rallies, but it will certainly include interesting and engaging activities for the whole family. The Pavilion competition center and service park, located in the harbor, will be full of attractions throughout the race weekend!
2. Up to 94% of visitors want to participate again
The Finnish World Rally, Secto Rally Finland, has been chosen as the best-organized rally event in the world for several years. The event attracts hundreds of thousands of spectators annually, making the Finnish World Rally the largest annual event in the Nordic countries. In 2024, the Finnish World Rally had over 260 000 visitors, who rated Jyväskylä as the host city of the World Rally with a score of 8.38 on a scale of 1-10. Even 94 % of visitors expressed their intention to participate in the event again. Such high numbers indicate a top-class event best experienced on-site!
3. Finnish heroes of the gravel roads
The Finnish World Rally Championship has in recent years become known as the home rally of Kalle Rovanperä, who hails from Jyväskylä. Although the 25-year-old Rovanperä has already won the rally world championship twice, he aims for his first Finnish WRC event victory in the summer of 2025. The Finnish WRC rally offers once again a great opportunity to come and cheer for Rovanperä and other Finnish heroes of the gravel roads.
4. Responsibility of Secto Rally Finland
Responsibility is one of the most important principles in the World Rally Championships. Secto Rally Finland was awarded the Sustainable Travel Finland label under Visit Finland in 2020, which is a significant recognition for responsible tourism operations.
Did you know that Secto Rally Finland, for example, invests annually in the maintenance of roads used as special stages and transit routes? Read more about the Finnish World Rally Championship organization’s responsibility work.
5. 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.
6. Lutakko harbour – Finland’s most experiential harbour
The Jyväskylä Pavilion’s exhibition and congress center serves as the central location for the Finnish World Rally Championship as usual. The pavilion is located right next to Finland’s most experiential harbor: alongside the rally hustle, you can admire the summery lake views of Jyväskylä’s Lutakko harbor and explore the area’s diverse services.
Are you drawn to a cruise on the waves of Finland’s largest and deepest lake Päijänne, the delicious harbor restaurant meals, or perhaps the delightful warmth of sauna rafts?
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
Finland’s largest annual sport event brings together audiences, competitors, and other stakeholders involved in the event, making the World Rally Championship uniquely communal. The Finnish WRC Rally attracts visitors to Jyväskylä Region from across the country and around the world. In 2024, over 70 % of the visitors came to the rallies from outside the Jyväskylä Region, and nearly 3 % of the rally-goers were from abroad. During the event, there is a warm international atmosphere in the center and harbor of Jyväskylä, and rally fans from all over the world get to meet each other and have fun together!
10. The world’s most challenging special stage
This year, the final day of the rally will be spent entirely in Ouninpohja, Jämsä! Ouninpohja is named the world’s most challenging special stage, which is driven twice on the final day of the Finnish World Rally Championship. The program for the final day is also favorable from the viewer’s perspective, as this year the winner of the Finnish World Rally Championship will also ascend to the podium in Ouninpohja. Thus, the entire Sunday will be spent for the first time in the history of the Finnish World Rally Championship in Ouninpohja, and the final day has been given a new name – Ounintai!
You might be also interested in…
10 destinations along the rally route
The Finnish World Rally Championship offers a unique opportunity to explore the unforgettable experiences of Jyväskylä Region.
Happening now
The Jyväskylä Region is filled with a multitude of events and activities. See what is happening right now in the Jyväskylä Region!
Sauna Rally 31.7.-3.8.2025
Sauna Rally is an annual side event held during the Secto Rally Finland.
What did you think of our content?
Your feedback is important to us. We are continuously improving our content based on the feedback we receive.
