The World Rally Championship (WRC), established in 1973 and governed by the FIA, is the second-oldest international motorsport series after Formula One. Each season spans a calendar year, awarding titles to drivers, co-drivers, and manufacturers.

A typical WRC season includes 13 rally events, each lasting three to four days and covering various terrains like gravel, tarmac, snow, and ice. Rallies are divided into 15–25 timed stages on about 350 kilometres (220 miles) of closed roads.

The season kicks off with the Monte Carlo Rally, an event dating back to 1911 when it was created by the Automobile Club de Monaco to showcase automotive advancements and attract tourism. Originally a “concentration rally,” participants started from various European cities to converge in Monaco. Now, it takes place in Monaco and southeast France as part of the WRC.

The 2025 WRC calendar includes 14 rounds, featuring new locations in Spain, Paraguay, and Saudi Arabia.