Balkan Rally 2026

For the first time in Balkan Rally history, the week-long adventure begins with a two-night Opening Ceremony.

14:00 – 18:00 Individual arrival at Brown Beach Houseba, registration, rally kit collection, and GPS installation in order of arrival

19:40 – 20:00 Enjoy a walk through the historic centre of Trogir

20:00 – 21:30 Dinner @Calebotta Bar

22:00 – 23:00 Welcome toast by the sea

A scenic warm-up loop towards Šibenik gives everyone a full day to prepare for the most demanding Balkan Rally route yet.

07:30 – 10:00 Breakfast on the hotel terrace

10:00 – 11:00 Riders Meeting

12:00 – 13:30 Start of the 5th Balkan Rally (according to the starting order)

PROLOGUE FINISH: Primošten (~90 km)

19:00 – 20:00 Toast to completing the first day

20:00 – 23:00 Welcome dinner and opening party by the iconic pool at Brown Beach House

Leaving the sun-soaked Adriatic coast behind, the route climbs into the wild landscapes of the Dinaric Alps, crossing the Neretva Canyon and Jablanica Lake on the way to the heart of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

07:30 – 10:00 Breakfast on the hotel terrace, check-out

09:00 – 10:30 Start from the hotel

LEG 1 FINISH: Trebević (~280 km)

18:30 – 20:00 Dinner on Trebević Mountain

19:30 – 20:00 Riders Meeting at dinner venue

Individual ride to Hotel Europe (~20 min), parking in the hotel’s underground garage

The day begins with one of Europe’s most charming border crossings, a wooden bridge leading from Bosnia and Herzegovina into Montenegro. From there, the route follows the turquoise waters of Piva Canyon before climbing onto the legendary P14 road – a spectacular 70 km ribbon of asphalt winding through the untouched landscapes of Durmitor National Park, surrounded by alpine lakes, grazing sheep and traditional mountain cabins.

07:00 – 10:30 Breakfast at the hotel restaurant, check-out

09:00 – 10:30 Start from the hotel underground garage (according to the starting order)

12:00 – 14:00 Picnic lunch at  Durmitor – today, lunch is on us!

LEG 2 FINISH: BIANCA RESORT & SPA (~270 KM), parking in the hotel’s outdoor car park

20:00 Finnish sauna and steam room open

19:30 – 21:30 Dinner at the hotel restaurant

20:30 – 21:00 Riders Meeting (informal)

21:00 Spa, indoor pool and jacuzzi open

No packing, no check-out – just breakfast and straight back on the road. Today’s loop circles the spectacular Tara Canyon, reaching depths of up to 1,300 metres. The route follows the canyon north to Mojkovac, then turns east and south through Montenegro’s authentic mountain villages, approaching both the Kosovo and Albanian borders before returning to Kolašin. The day ends with the legendary Balkan Rally parking lot party in front of the iconic hotel.

07:00 – 10:30 Breakfast at the hotel restaurant

09:00 – 10:30 Start from the hotel’s outdoor car park (according to the starting order)

LEG 3 FINISH: BIANCA RESORT & SPA (~140 KM)

Parking in the hotel’s outdoor car park

17:00 – 22:00 Iconic Balkan Rally parking lot party

20:00 Finnish sauna and steam room open

19:30 – 21:30 Dinner at the hotel restaurant

20:30 – 21:00 Riders Meeting (informal)

21:00 Spa, indoor pool and jacuzzi open

Ever since the first Balkan Rally, we’ve dreamed of taking you along the legendary P14 road. Now we’re just as excited to reach another milestone – the rally’s first-ever entry into Albania. The route crosses the breathtaking Prokletije National Park, known as the Accursed Mountains, following its remote Albanian side along one of Europe’s wildest and most spectacular mountain roads. Descending towards Lake Skadar, we return to Montenegro before ending the day in Budva, overlooking the country’s oldest Old Town and the Adriatic Sea.

07:00 – 10:30 Breakfast at the hotel restaurant, check-out

09:00 – 10:30 Start from the hotel’s outdoor car park (according to the starting order)

LEG 4 FINISH: SHKODËR (~270 KM)

Individual ride to Avala Resort & Villas (~20 min), parking at the hotel

19:30 – 21:00 Dinner at the hotel restaurant

20:30 – 21:00 Riders Meeting (informal)

The final rally day – and the competition is still on. The route winds along the smallest back roads, avoiding traffic as it heads towards the Luštica Peninsula, south of the Bay of Kotor. After passing through charming fishing villages, the rally finishes at The Chedi Luštica Bay, where we celebrate the 5th Balkan Rally with the awards ceremony and closing party.

07:00 – 10:30 Breakfast at the hotel restaurant, check-out

09:00 – 10:30 Start from the hotel (according to the starting order)

LEG 5 FINISH: VIEWPOINT NEAR LUŠTICA BAY (~90 KM)

Individual ride to The Chedi Luštica Bay (~10 min), parking available in the indoor and outdoor car parks

17:00 Equipment Return at the Race Office

• Return of rally albums and Instax cameras
• Removal of GPS tracking devices
• Vehicle handover for transport (Race & Fly package)
• Voting for the Perfect Gear and Fair Play Awards

19:00 – 22:00 Closing party and seaside dinner

19:30 Official 5th Balkan Rally group photo

21:30 – 22:00 Awards Ceremony

Participants who have chosen the Ride Together add-on will set off together towards Zadar, where we’ll enjoy an overnight stay at the Falkensteiner Hotel Zadar, a favourite stop from previous Balkan Rally editions.

7:00 – 11:00 Breakfast at the hotel restaurant

Airport transfer for Race & Fly add-on participants

11:00 Departure from the hotel

RIDE TOGETHER: FALKENSTEINER HOTEL & SPA IADERA  (~450 km)

19:00 – 22:00 Dinner at the hotel restaurant

21:00 Sauna & Spa open (saunas, massages and facial treatments)

22:00 Indoor and outdoor pools open

07:30 – 11:00 Breakfast at the hotel restaurant

Individual departure

1. The overall classification is based on three equally important elements: following the official route as accurately as possible, completing each day’s route within the designated ideal driving time, and successfully completing all required challenges along the route. The Balkan Rally Grand Prize is awarded to the team that most accurately follows the prescribed route and ideal driving time while successfully completing all daily photo challenges. Each morning, competitors start in the predetermined starting order.

2. At the Opening Ceremony, every participant receives the official rally package containing:

• an RFID wristband used for official timekeeping,
• the official Rally Album for collecting daily photo challenges,
• an Instax camera will be available for the duration of the event, along with sufficient Instax film packs to complete all required photographs.

3. Every competitor starts the rally with 1,000 points. During the six scored days (Prologue + 5 Rally Days), competitors may lose points due to penalties.

Overall winners are announced in each competition category (Vintage Enthusiast, Modern Classics, Motorcycle). The winner of each category is the competitor or team finishing with the highest total score.

4. Each competitor receives an RFID wristband as part of the starter package. Competitors must tap their wristband on the official RFID reader operated by the organizers both at the start and upon crossing the finish line of each race day. The RFID system records the official race time with second-by-second accuracy.

5. During the Opening Ceremony, GPS tracking devices provided by NAVCENTER will be installed in every vehicle. These devices enable the organizers to monitor the real-time position, movement and speed of every participating vehicle throughout the rally. GPS data is used to verify adherence to the official route and to calculate any omitted sections of the prescribed route.

6. The GPS route data and the official RFID timekeeping data are automatically processed and evaluated using software provided by Dataspy Kft.

7. Competitors must complete six predetermined routes over six consecutive days while adhering as closely as possible to the designated ideal driving time.

Each morning, competitors receive the detailed itinerary for that day’s route at the Start, when their RFID wristband is scanned, together with a regional map indicating the official checkpoints and designated photo locations.

The ideal driving time for the day is revealed at the checkpoints shown on the map, provided competitors successfully complete the assigned checkpoint challenges.

On any of the six competition days, competitors may receive the itinerary for the final stage of the route only after successfully completing the task at the second checkpoint.

If assistance is required to solve a checkpoint challenge, competitors may call the designated information number to receive that day’s ideal driving time in exchange for a 15-point penalty.

8. For the six race days, every competitor receives three Coffee Break Cards, each worth 60 minutes. Using a Coffee Break Card extends the competitor’s ideal driving time for that race day by exactly 60 minutes.

A Coffee Break Card is considered used only after the competitor notifies the organizers in writing using the designated contact information printed on the back of the competitor badge, and the organizers confirm its activation in writing.

Coffee Break Cards may be activated no later than at the second checkpoint of the relevant Rally Day, provided that written confirmation is received before leaving the checkpoint.

A vehicle may use a maximum of two Coffee Break Cards during a single race day, and both cards must be declared at the same time. Unused Coffee Break Cards have no value after the rally and do not award bonus points.

9. Of the 6 scored days, only the 5 best results count toward the final classification. This means that every competitor has one discarded day. The day on which the competitor loses the highest number of points is automatically excluded from the final score, and any penalties incurred on that day will not count toward the overall results.

In the event of a tie, the result of the discarded day will determine the winner. If the competitors remain tied, the older vehicle, based on its year of manufacture, will be declared the winner.

10. Any deviation from the ideal finish time, whether early or late, results in a deduction of 1 point per minute. Seconds are rounded to the nearest minute according to standard mathematical rounding rules. Since completing the rally with older vehicles is generally more challenging, competitors in the Vintage Enthusiast category receive a time tolerance based on the vehicle’s year of manufacture. The permitted deviation from the ideal driving time is as follows:

• Vehicles manufactured in the 1990s must arrive exactly on time.
• Vehicles manufactured in the 1980s may arrive within ±1 minute without penalty.
• Vehicles manufactured in the 1970s may arrive within ±2 minutes without penalty.
• Vehicles manufactured in the 1960s may arrive within ±3 minutes without penalty.
• Vehicles manufactured in the 1950s may arrive within ±4 minutes without penalty.
• Vehicles manufactured in the 1940s may arrive within ±5 minutes without penalty.

11. Leaving the prescribed route between the start and finish results in a deduction of 1 point per kilometre. After the total length of the omitted route sections has been calculated, the distance is rounded to the nearest whole kilometre according to standard mathematical rounding rules.

A competitor may lose a maximum of 60 points on a single Rally Day through the combined penalties for time deviations, route deviations, and missing photos.

If a competitor temporarily leaves the prescribed route but later rejoins it without omitting any mandatory section, no route penalty will be applied.

The exception is the final section of the day, known as the Red Zone, whose starting point is clearly marked in the official itinerary. Every competitor is required to enter the Red Zone. Failure to do so results in a 15-point deduction.

Within the Red Zone, every kilometre travelled outside the designated race route results in a deduction of 1 point per kilometre, even if the competitor later rejoins the route without missing any mandatory section. If, based on the available GPS data and other evidence, the organizers conclude that a competitor intentionally gained an unfair advantage or deliberately delayed their arrival for tactical purposes, an additional 20-point penalty may be imposed. The reason for the penalty will be published on the competitor’s personal results page. Competitors may submit a protest in accordance with the official protest procedure and by providing appropriate supporting evidence.

12. Tactical time-wasting or any behaviour intended to influence the competition result is strictly prohibited within the Red Zone.

The following actions are considered tactical time-wasting:
unnecessary stopping or waiting;

• driving back and forth along the same section of road;
• repeatedly circulating through a roundabout;
• driving the same road segment multiple times in both directions;
• any other route choice or manoeuvre that is clearly intended to delay arrival at the finish.

Within the Red Zone, competitors must not drive below 30 km/h, except where traffic conditions, safety considerations or technical problems make this unavoidable.

The organizers continuously monitor traffic conditions and any other circumstances affecting travel within the Red Zone. Traffic congestion, roadworks, accidents or other legitimate delays will not in themselves result in a penalty.
If a competitor is unable to maintain the required speed within the Red Zone due to verified traffic, safety or technical reasons, this must be reported to the Race Office at the end of the race day.
During the protest review on the following day, at the designated time, competitors may present photographs or any other supporting documentation as evidence.

13. Within the Red Zone, leaving the designated race route results in a deduction of 1 point per kilometre, even if the competitor later returns to the official route without omitting any mandatory section. Penalties are calculated solely on the distance travelled outside the designated route within the Red Zone.

14. During each of the six race days, competitors must take one Instax photograph at the designated daily photo location. All photographs must be pasted into the official Rally Album received at the Opening Ceremony. A deduction of 5 points will be applied for every missing photograph or for any photograph that was not taken at the designated location.

15. Protests are handled on a daily basis. At the end of each race day, competitors receive their daily penalty points. Any protest must be submitted in writing on the same day by handing in a completed Protest Card at the Race Office before the daily protest deadline. The organizers will communicate their decision on the protest during the following race day.

Throughout the rally, competitors must fully comply with the laws of every country through which the event passes, as well as all applicable traffic regulations.

The start takes place every morning in the predetermined starting order.

Competitors must line up at the starting line with their engines running one minute before their scheduled start time and may start only upon the organizers’ signal.

Any competitor who fails to appear at the start at their assigned time may only start after the entire field has departed.
Competitors record both their start and finish times by tapping their RFID wristbands on the official reader provided by the organizers.

At the end of each race day, competitors must hand in their Rally Albums after parking their vehicles. The following morning, competitors may collect their Rally Albums at the Race Office.

Click here to view the starting order

This is a rally, not a race at any cost – safety and team spirit come first. Throughout the route, you must respect the laws and traffic regulations of every country we pass through.

If there’s an accident, helping each other isn’t just encouraged – it’s mandatory. Alert the local authorities immediately and notify the rally organizers without delay. Any time spent assisting will be credited back to your team’s stage time for that day.

Got technical trouble? In the true spirit of Fair Play, lend a hand to fellow participants whenever you can. At the final day’s finish line, you’ll get to cast your vote for the team that best embodied the Fair Play spirit.

The team will trailer any stranded or immobilized vehicles to the next hotel, in the order issues are reported.

For smaller technical problems, they’ll do their best to fix them between 19:00 and 24:00 in the evening or early in the morning, again on a first-come, first-served basis. If a fault is too complex, the necessary tools aren’t available, or the team is overloaded, they might not be able to take on the repair.

On the special stages, navigation will be done entirely the old-school way, with no digital shortcuts. To guide you, we’ll provide:

• Roadbook with step-by-step instructions designed to keep you on the correct route.
• Map highlighting each leg’s checkpoints and photo points.

Some finish locations won’t be at the hotels. For these, as well as hotel navigation, we’ll provide exact GPS coordinates in advance. We strongly recommend downloading offline maps of the region on Google Maps, so you’re covered in case of limited signal.

For instructions, click here.

During the post-rally Ride Together stage, you’re free to follow our suggested Google Maps route or chart your own adventure.

The rally route keeps you off toll roads, but any detours, wrong turns, or homeward shortcuts are your responsibility – including toll payments, even with rentals.

While the Balkan Rally is a celebration of vintage machines, the jury may open the door to a select few special vehicles. These will carry distinct stickers to signal their unique status on the road.

VINTAGE ENTHUSIASTS

Most of the lineup is made up of pre-1997 vehicles – machines with rare specs, ties to iconic designers, or legendary status
born of history.

MODERN CLASSICS

• Effet de Surprise:Non-vintage vehicles that bring something exceptional or refreshingly unique, as recognized by the jury.
• Modern Heritage:Machines – predominantly motorcycles – that, despite being designed post-1997, stay true to traditional lines and timeless
  classic design
• Future Classic: There are countless near-new machines whose technology and execution are of such caliber that they’re destined to become
  timeless classics in the eyes of generations to come.

WINGMAN

True ‘wingmen’ – drivers whose vehicles don’t fit any official category but who join to soak up the vintage rally spirit. In exchange for helping keep the rally rolling, they compete only for the Fair Play and Perfect Gear awards.

Winner of the Balkan Rally

The winner will be the driver or team who crosses the finish line with the highest score. This will require strong navigational skills, sticking to arrival times, and completing photo challenges.

Awarded to the car and motorcycle with the highest score in the Vintage Enthusiast and Modern Classics categories. Both categories, as well as cars and motorcycles, are judged and awarded separately.

Perfect Gear

The award is given to the competitor who fully embodies the spirit of the Balkan Rally from head to toe – whether it’s a flawlessly shining vehicle or attire that perfectly matches the era of their car.

Fair Play

At the gala evening, the award is presented to the competitor nominated and chosen by fellow participants, recognizing the most helpful and considerate racer.

The most stylish hotel on the Dalmatian coast awaits us right on the waterfront, just a few steps from Trogir’s historic old town. Housed in a former Mediterranean palace, the Brown Beach House combines elegance with a bohemian spirit, making it the perfect setting for a seaside opening weekend.

Brown Beach House Croatia, Put Gradine 66, 21220, Trogir, Croatia

Wellness Opening Hours

• Wellness Area (spa, saunas, steam room and indoor jacuzzi): 09:00 – 21:00
• Outdoor Pool: 09:00 – 21:00

Founded in 1882, this is one of the oldest hotels in the Balkans, having hosted numerous prominent figures over nearly 150 years. Thanks to its central location, the hotel offers the perfect base to explore Sarajevo’s vibrant nightlife and historic landmarks on an early autumn evening.

Vladislava Skarića 5, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia & Herzegovina

Set at 980 meters above sea level in the town of Kolašin, the Bianca Resort & Spa is surrounded by magnificent pine forests and offers breathtaking views of Mount Bjelasica. This exclusive retreat combines the comfort of a world-class hotel with the cozy atmosphere of a mountain chalet, creating a true home away from home. The resort’s spa area features an indoor swimming pool, fitness center, Finnish sauna, steam bath, and relaxation room; perfect for the team to recharge after a long day.

We arrive in Budva, Montenegro’s vibrant seaside resort town, where the Avala Resort & Villas awaits at the meeting point of the historic old town and the sea. Built on a rocky cliff, the luxury hotel offers iconic pools with unparalleled views of the Adriatic and the medieval city walls. Modern design meets the beauty of nature here, creating a unique balance: sleek interiors, infinity pools, and sea-facing terraces.

2 Mediteranska, Budva 85310, Montenegro

Wellness Opening Hours

• Spa & Wellness: 08:00 – 21:00
• Saunas & Steam Room (Thermal Zone): 12:00 – 21:00
• Massages & Treatments: 14:00 – 21:00
• Indoor Pool & Jacuzzi: 08:00 – 21:00

Nestled between the soft azure waters and majestic mountains, The Chedi Luštica Bay is an exclusive five-star luxury hotel. With its private beach, Asian-inspired spa, indoor and outdoor pools, it offers the perfect setting for the team to unwind at the end of the journey and celebrate with a gala dinner.

Luštica Bay Marina, Radovići 85323, Montenegro

Wellness & Beach Opening Hours

• Spa & Wellness: 08:00 – 21:00
• Children under the age of 15 may use the indoor pool between 08:00 and 17:00.
• The Rok Beach Bar & Lounge: 09:00 – 18:00

One of the most spectacular hotels in Balkan Rally history, this stunning peninsula retreat combines breathtaking sea views with exclusive five-star hospitality. Its 6,000 m² Acquapura SPA is a true sanctuary, offering everything from a traditional Turkish bath to a variety of saunas for the ultimate relaxation after a day on the road.

Resort Punta Skala, 23231, Petrčane, Croatia

Wellness Opening Hours

• Pools: 08:00 – 22:00
• Sauna Area: 10:00 – 21:00
• Massages & Facial Treatments: 08:00 – 21:00

For even quicker access to the latest Rally updates (if you’re reading this, you’re already in the right place), add the website to your home screen by following these steps:

• Open Safari
• Enter the URL of the page you’re currently viewing
• Tap the Share button at the bottom of the screen
• Select Add to Home Screen
• Tap Add

From now on, you’ll find the Balkan Rally icon on your home screen for instant access to all the latest information.

All essential phone numbers for the duration of the rally can be found on the back of your lanyard badge. We will also share important updates in the official Balkan Rally WhatsApp group, and publish them here on the official Balkan Rally Competitor Portal.

After each day’s finish line arrival, we’ll hold a daily Riders Meeting, where we’ll go over the key details for the following day.

Join the official Balkan Rally WhatsApp Community now by clicking the link.

All countries visited during the rally (Hungary, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Montenegro) accept both a valid passport and a national ID card issued to EU citizens for border crossings. Please note that a driving licence is not a valid travel document and cannot be used for international border crossings.

For the duration of the trip (4-11 / 4−12 September 2026), all participants must have valid travel insurance that covers all countries along the route.

If you are not a Hungarian citizen, please contact an insurance provider in your country.

At every accommodation all of the participants will be welcomed with a buffet-style dinner and generous breakfast. On some evenings, dinner will be held outside the hotel. The menus have been curated with a focus on offering authentic dishes that represent the local flavors of each region we
travel through.

Please arrange lunch individually during the day, you’ll find a few suggestions marked on the daily maps. We kindly request that you put all drink orders on your room tab and take care of the payment when checking out.

We recommend bringing euros, as Croatia and Montenegro both use the euro as their official currency. Bosnia and Herzegovina uses the Convertible Mark (BAM), while Albania uses the Albanian Lek (ALL). However, euros are widely accepted in many tourist areas, and if needed, they can easily be exchanged for the local currency in both countries.

Your main expenses during the rally will be daily lunches and fuel. You may also wish to budget for coffee breaks, alcoholic beverages, optional activities, entrance fees, souvenirs, and toll roads on your journey home.

In addition to fuel costs, we recommend allowing €300–400 per person to comfortably cover lunches, small purchases, and optional activities throughout the rally.

• Travel Documents
• Pocket Money
• Insurance Documents
• Vehicle Papers
• Layered, weather-appropriate clothing
• Outfits and accessories aiming for the Perfect Gear award
• Formal wear for the final evening gala dinner
• Swimsuit/swim trunks
• Reusable water bottle
• Snacks for the entire trip
• Pen and paper for solving challenges
• Wet wipes for roadside stops
• Flashlight or headlamp for late-night repairs
• Cloth to keep your vintage vehicle shining each day
• Your trusted tool kit for fixing the most common car issues

For those completing the rally on two (or even three!) wheels, luggage transport will be provided by the Racing Services team.

Please bring one large bag only, which will be labelled with your name and phone number by our team.

Luggage can be dropped off at the GoBeyond office (1013 Budapest, Várkert rakpart 11. 2/10.) on Wednesday, 2 September, between 10:00 and 18:00.

Your luggage will be delivered directly to each day’s hotel and can be collected from the Race Office. Each morning, please return your bag to the Race Office no later than 30 minutes before your scheduled start time.

When dropping off your luggage, you will be asked to sign a liability declaration. This document may be required by the organising team when crossing international borders.

We recommend carrying a change of clothes and swimwear on your motorcycle in case you arrive at the hotel before the luggage transport team.

After the rally, luggage can be collected from the GoBeyond office (1013 Budapest, Várkert rakpart 11. 2/10.) on Monday, 14 September 2026, between 10:00 and 18:00.

To truly celebrate the golden era of motorsport, we’d love for your outfit to contribute to the atmosphere.

What do we mean by this?

• Vehicles polished to a shine
• Attire that matches the era of your vehicle (whether it’s from the ’30s, ’60s, or ’80s)
• Rally accessories like car stickers, rally lamps, driving gloves,
  scarves, hats, sunglasses, and more
• For the ladies: contemporary-appropriate hairstyles, hats, makeup, and accessories
• Elegant appearance at the gala dinner

During the rally, the participant with the best overall appearance will be chosen by audience vote to receive the Balkan Rally Perfect Gear Award.

Use the checklist below to make sure your vehicle is fully prepared for the journey:

• Tires: Check the tire pressure and inspect for any visible damage.
• Battery: Replace it if it’s older than 2 years; the voltage should be at least 12.7–12.8 V.
• V-belt: Check for cracks or damage.
• Windshield washer system: Check the operation of the wiper
  blades and the functionality of the wiper system.
• Engine oil: Change the oil before the rally and check all fluid levels.
• Brake fluid: Check the brake fluid level.
• Coolant: Inspect the cooling fluid’s color and make sure it’s free of contaminants.
• Headlights: Adjust the front headlights professionally.
• Lights: Test all the vehicle’s lighting systems.
• Spare wheel: Check the condition and pressure of the spare. (Is it really the right one for your car?)
• Factory tools: Make sure all original tools and accessories are there – and don’t forget the wheel key at home!