The Rally Japan 2026 Commission will hold an opening event for the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) FORUM8 Rally Japan 2026, taking place from Thursday 28 May to Sunday 31 May this year, in the vicinity of Nagoya Castle on the first day of the rally.
The opening event will feature not only an opening ceremony to mark the start of the event in style, but also a free fan zone and roadside spectator sections for fans to enjoy.
Please note that due to limited capacity at the venue, the Opening Ceremony will operate on a pre-registration basis (ticket system). Ticket details, which had previously been postponed, have been finalized.
To coincide with the opening ceremony, which is being held in Nagoya City for the first time, we are planning a range of activities for fans to enjoy in the area around Nagoya Castle, the venue for the event.
■ Date and Time Thursday 28 May 2026, 13:00–21:30 (tentative)
■ Venue Area surrounding Nagoya Castle (Naka Ward, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture)
*Please note that the time, venue and content of this event are subject to change.
| Overview | To share the opening of Rally Japan with as many people as possible, we will be setting up a Free Fan Zone around the South Amusement Park in Meijo Park, which is free to enter and requires no ticket. The venue will feature public viewing, demonstration runs, food and various exhibition stands, appearances by drivers and rally cars, and autograph sessions. We will be offering a wide range of activities so that even those without tickets for the Opening Ceremony can experience the excitement of the rally up close. |
| Location | Around Meijo Park South Amusement Area |
| Time | 13:00–21:30 (approx.) (tentative) |
| How to attend | Free / No ticket required |
| Demonstration runs (Tentative) | 1st session: From 14:00 (Co-driver experience demo run where you can ride in a rally car) *Winners of the draw will be announced at a later date Session 2: 14:30– (Rally1 vehicle; Driver: Jari-Matti Latvala) |
| Media Coverage | Please apply via one of the following media channels. *Application procedures are detailed below ・FORUM8 Rally Japan Media Pass (Credential Media Pass / Media Staff Pass) ・Media Pass for the Opening Event only |
| Time | Approx. 17:00–17:50 Approx. 19:00–20:30 |
| Location | Roads around Nagoya Castle and other locations |
| Details | All participating rally cars will travel on the roads around Nagoya Castle, observing traffic rules in the same way as other vehicles. In some locations, you will be able to cheer on the rally cars up close as they drive past with Nagoya Castle in the background. [Rally Car Route] All participating rally cars will be transported by transporters from Toyota Stadium and unloaded at the Free Fan Zone. Once unloaded, the rally cars will proceed in the order of Rally 1, Rally 2, Rally 3 and the National Class, entering the grounds of the Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium—the venue for the opening ceremony—via the Ote-Ninomaru Gate. After the Opening Ceremony, the rally cars will exit in the order of Rally 1, Rally 2, Rally 3 and the National Class via the former Ninomaru East Gate bastion, head north along Otsu-dori and proceed to the Free Fan Zone. *After moving to the Free Fan Zone, the rally cars will be transported back to Toyota Stadium on transporters. |
| How to watch | ・Free of charge / No ticket required |
| Media Coverage | Please apply via one of the following media channels. *Application procedures are detailed below ・FORUM8 Rally Japan media pass (Credential Media Pass / Media Staff Pass) ・Media Pass for the Opening Event only |
| Time | Approx. 18:00–20:20 |
| Venue | Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium grounds |
| Details | A stage and viewing area will be set up on the grounds of the Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium to host a spectacular opening ceremony marking the start of FORUM8 Rally Japan 2026. During the ceremony, all the rally cars taking part will be on display. The programme will include introductions to the teams and drivers competing in Rally1, a ‘Meet the Crew’ session featuring key drivers and team representatives (featuring interviews, quizzes and other activities), and a grid walk (a time when you can interview drivers in the vehicle display area). |
| How to attend | ・Free of charge / Advance ticket booking required [Ceremony Viewing Ticket Application Schedule] ・Early Bird Registration (Lottery) Application Period: Saturday 25 April 2026, 10:00 – Wednesday 29 April 2026, 23:59 Lottery results announced: Thursday 30 April 2026 ・General Application (First-come, first-served) Application Start Date: Saturday 2 May 2026, 10:00 – ・Priority Registration for Nagoya Residents (Lottery) *Nagoya residents only Application Period: Monday 11 May 2026, 10:00 – Monday 18 May 2026, 23:59 Lottery Results Announcement: Wednesday, 20 May 2026 [Further Information] https://rally-japan.jp/ticket/ticket-info-42395/ |
| Media Application | Please submit a media application via one of the following methods. *Application procedures are detailed below Please note, however, that due to capacity restrictions within the area, coverage during the Grid Walk is limited to holders of the ‘FORUM8 Rally Japan Media Pass’. We appreciate your understanding. ・FORUM8 Rally Japan Media Pass (Credential Media Pass / Media Staff Pass) ・Media Pass for the Opening Event only |
| Time | Approx. 17:15–17:35 |
| Venue | Inside Nagoya Castle (tentative) |
| Details | A photo session for the media will be held. We plan to hold a photo session with the Nagoya Castle keep as a backdrop, featuring a total of three rally cars—one from each of the three top-category teams competing—along with their drivers and co-drivers. |
| Viewing Arrangements | ・Closed to the public (not open to the general public) |
| Coverage Arrangements | ・Details are currently being finalised; however, as the venue is located in an area rich in cultural heritage, there may be restrictions in place for media coverage. We will issue a press release once these details have been confirmed, so please stay tuned for further updates. ・Please note that, due to capacity restrictions at the venue, access may be limited to holders of the ‘FORUM8 Rally Japan Media Pass’. |
FORUM8 Rally Japan will operate a media centre at Toyota Stadium; however, on the day of the ceremony event, Thursday 28 May, a remote media centre will be set up inside the Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium.
■ Opening Hours: 11:00–21:00
■Location: Various rooms within the Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium (Entrance is on the west side of the Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium)
■Eligibility: Holders of the following passes
・FORUM8 Rally Japan Media Pass (Credential Media Pass / Media Staff Pass)
・Media Pass for the Opening Event only
【Opening Event Exclusive Media Pass】
Please apply via the form below by 23:59 on Monday 11 May.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdTxRiWRCIrasepnCiyXnnnaGMaHrMdHQpYM46dZKFSU4rArg/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=113461404751746960258
*Please collect your media pass (valid only for the opening event) at the Remote Media Centre inside the Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium.
*The Opening Event-exclusive media pass is valid until 21:00 on Thursday 28 May.
*Please note that the scope of coverage permitted with the Opening Event-exclusive media pass is limited even within the Opening Event itself. Furthermore, if you wish to cover the event outside of the Opening Event, please apply for a ‘FORUM8 Rally Japan Media Pass’.
[FORUM8 Rally Japan Media Pass (Credential Media Pass / Media Staff Pass)]
Please refer to the press release materials sent on 9 March and submit your media application by the specified deadline.
