The 2026 edition of the World Rally Championship (WRC) in Paraguay, scheduled for August 27-30, is projected to generate an economic impact of $200 million, according to estimates from the Local Organizing Committee (LOC). This figure represents a 33.5% increase compared to the $133 million generated during the country's debut event in 2025.
At least 400,000 spectators are expected to attend the competition, nearly double the previous year's attendance. The rally will feature 22 special stages, totaling 356.04 km of competitive route, making it the longest round of the 2026 WRC calendar, ahead of countries like Kenya and Portugal.
The event will be based in the city of Encarnación, in the Itapúa department, with competition stages spread across 10 districts: Encarnación, Cambyretá, Capitán Miranda, Nueva Alborada, Trinidad, Hohenau, Bella Vista, General Artigas, San Juan del Paraná, and Carmen del Paraná.
Conrado Kiener, president of the Encarnación Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Services (Cacise), highlighted that the experience from the first year allowed local businesses to better prepare for the demand. He emphasized that the inclusion of urban stages in the departmental capital should boost commercial and tourist activity, giving visitors more time to explore the city.
In the lodging sector, the Itapúa Hotel Association (Ashoit) estimates that reservations will reach 70% of capacity, which grew by 5% compared to 2025, reaching 6,000 beds. Meanwhile, the Association of Non-Hotel Lodging reports that its 5,000 beds have only 30% occupancy reserved, with prices ranging from G. 100,000 to G. 300,000 per person.
The growth in projections is attributed to the international recognition received by the event. The WRC Rally del Paraguay was voted the "Best Rally in the World for 2025" by the International Automobile Federation (FIA), a milestone for the country in its championship debut. The organization was praised for its safety and for the Paraguayan public, considered by the drivers to be "the most passionate on the calendar."
Data from Paraguay's National Tourism Secretariat (Senatur) shows that in 2025, 65% of the spectators were Paraguayan (excluding residents of Itapúa) and 35% were foreigners, from more than 15 countries. The majority of tourists (96%) stayed for five nights, with 71% lodging in Encarnación.