At a glance
24–27 June
The 2027 dates, from the World Championship calendar.
Thursday evening
The Athens super special, the first stage of the rally.
Free
Entry to the super special in 2025 and 2026.
Since 1953
One of the oldest rallies in the world.
The Athens super special
The super special is a short asphalt track, about one and a half to two kilometres long, with stands around it. In 2026 it had two parallel lanes, so the cars raced in pairs, side by side. You see every World Championship crew from a few metres away, in two or three hours. The venue changes almost every year:
- 2021: Syntagma Square, with a ceremonial start on Dionysiou Areopagitou.
- 2022: the Olympic Stadium, OAKA.
- 2023: Plateia Nerou, in Faliro.
- 2024: the super special was held outside Athens, in Malakasa.
- 2025: between the Panathenaic Stadium and the Zappeion.
- 2026: Ellinikon Sports Park, in Elliniko, on Thursday 25 June from 19:05.
The 2027 venue hasn't been announced yet. The organisers announce it a few weeks before the rally.
Packed stands at the super special.
Drivers and co-drivers seen up close.
The rest of the rally runs on gravel roads in the mountains.
Stones, dust and the June heat.
The ceremonial start on Dionysiou Areopagitou.
Photos: Geonich (CC BY 4.0), George E. Koronaios (CC BY-SA 4.0), Wikimedia Commons.
The other days
From Friday to Sunday the cars race on gravel roads, with lots of stones and heat. In 2026 the rally was based in Loutraki, about an hour's drive from Athens. For these stages you need a car, an early start and a walk to the spectator areas. For most people staying in Athens, Thursday's super special is the easiest option.
How to get there
The route depends on the year's venue. From Ioulianou 50, for the venues of recent years:
- OAKA: Line 1 (green) from Victoria to Irini, no change, about 20 minutes.
- Panathenaic Stadium and Zappeion: metro to Syntagma and 10 minutes on foot.
- Plateia Nerou: metro to Syntagma and the tram towards the coast.
- Elliniko: about 25 minutes by taxi from Ioulianou 50.
🏁 The Athens super specials
The super special venues of recent years, relative to Ioulianou 50. Tap each point for the year.
Kathy's tip: get to the super special an hour before the first car starts, to find a seat in the stands. In late June the heat in Athens often goes above 30 degrees, so bring water and a hat. Take earplugs if you have children with you.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Acropolis Rally in 2027?
From Thursday 24 June to Sunday 27 June. The Athens super special is usually on the evening of the first day.
Do I need a ticket?
In 2025 and 2026 entry to the super special was free. Check the organisers' announcement for 2027.
Where will the super special be?
It hasn't been announced yet. In recent years it was held at Syntagma, OAKA, Plateia Nerou, the Panathenaic Stadium and Elliniko.
Can I also watch the mountain stages?
Yes, but you need a car and the whole day. The organisers publish maps of the spectator areas before the rally.
— Kathy
