The EKO Acropolis Rally Greece - the Rally of Gods - is the eighth round of the season and the first true gravel test of the championship's second half. Based in Loutraki on the Gulf of Corinth, where it returns for the first time in over a decade, the event promises the kind of raw, uncompromising challenge for which it is renowned.
KEY EVENT STATS
Surface: Gravel
Base: Loutraki, Corinthia
Stages: 17
Competitive Distance: 323.31 km
Total Distance: 1,488.63 km
WEEKEND FOCUS
The Acropolis Rally is renowned for its severity; sharp rocks, loose gravel, and punishing heat place relentless demands on both machinery and tyres. Keeping the cars intact and managing the conditions will be every bit as important as raw pace, and the team will be focused on minimising complications across four tough days of competition.
In a unique addition to this year's itinerary, cars and crews will transfer by sea from the Port of Corinth to Itea ahead of Friday's stages, with the vessel serving as parc ferme overnight. The arrangement makes full use of Greece's coastline and maritime geography to link the competitive sections across different regions in a way that is entirely new to the WRC.
Jon Armstrong returns to Greece for the first time since 2022, where he claimed second in the Junior WRC category, while Josh McErlean brings solid Acropolis experience after finishing 12th in the Puma Rally1 car last year. Mārtiņš Sesks, returning to the team for the next three events, had a difficult introduction to Greece in 2025 and will put his focus on improving performance in the unique Greek conditions.
Jourdan Serderidis will be welcomed back to the team and the Rally1 category, competing once again on his home roads in Greece in a sparkling new livery, the roof emblazoned with the Greek flag. In the Fiesta Rally2, Romet Jürgenson returns to Greece having finished second in the Junior WRC category here in 2024. With some strong gravel form behind him this season, he heads to Greece with genuine confidence.
Richard Millener, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Principal, said: "Acropolis Rally Greece is one of those rallies where survival is the name of the game. The heat, the rocks, and the sheer brutality of the stages mean anything can happen. Our focus will be on running clean and working together as a team to keep the cars in one piece. If we do that, there's always the chance of a strong result.
“We have a good mix of experience amongst our crews here, and with all the new stages in play, it should be a very interesting rally to watch!”
CREW LINE-UP
FORD PUMA RALLY1
#55 / Josh McErlean & Eoin Treacy
Acropolis Rally Greece 2025 result: 12th WRC
Rally Japan 2026 result: 10th WRC
Current championship position: 18th WRC
Josh McErlean said: “Acropolis is always a tough event. We have a decent road position, so there could be opportunities if we stay out of trouble. It’s nice to turn to gravel again for the remainder of the WRC season!
“It will be a quick turnaround from Donegal, and with plenty of new stages the focus is on a good recce and being well prepared. Hopefully we can put everything together and have a solid weekend for the team.”
#95 / Jon Armstrong & Shane Byrne
Acropolis Rally Greece 2022 result: 2nd WRC3 Junior
Rally Japan 2026 result: 8th WRC
Current championship position: 12th WRC
Jon Armstrong said: “We’re really looking forward to Greece. It’s going to be a significant challenge with the temperatures we’re expecting, and there are a lot of single-pass stages, so having a strong recce will be important. It’s definitely one of the toughest events in rallying.
“If we can take a steady approach, focus on ourselves, and do a good job, then it should be a positive event for us. The boat journey on Thursday night should be good fun as well, so we’re looking forward to something a little different and to getting back onto the gravel after Japan.”
#22 / Mārtiņš Sesks & Renārs Francis
Acropolis Rally Greece 2025 result: 15th WRC
Rally Portugal 2026 result: 9th WRC
Current championship position: 23rd WRC
Mārtiņš Sesks said: “I'm really excited to take on the Acropolis Rally again. Last year was my first time competing there, and there were a lot of things that were completely new to us. We had to learn the rally as we went, and unfortunately a few things didn't go our way.
“This year will be interesting as the rally features some new stages and takes us to a different part of Greece. It will be great to explore the country again while tackling another demanding event. I'm really looking forward to it.”
#9 Jourdan Serderidis & Frédéric Miclotte
Acropolis Rally Greece 2025 result: Retired Saturday (medical)
Acropolis Rally Greece 2024 result: 14th WRC
Serderidis makes his first WRC appearance of the season
Jourdan Serderidis said: “Greece, our homeland, is at the heart of our 2026 programme. We are currently leading the national championship after two rallies, but now our focus turns to the Acropolis Rally, one of the highlights of the WRC season.
“We are back with our M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 car, ready to compete against the world's best gravel rally drivers. Our goal is to enjoy this demanding event, achieve the best possible result, and continue our fight for the Greek Cup awarded to the highest-placed national driver.
“This year's event features several new stages, adding an extra level of difficulty. But we enjoy a challenge!”
FORD FIESTA RALLY2
#25 / Romet Jürgenson & Siim Oja
Acropolis Rally Greece 2024 result: 2nd Junior WRC
Rally Japan 2026 result: 5th RC2 / 14th Overall
Current championship position: 31st WRC
Romet Jürgenson said: “I'm looking forward to heading back to Greece, where we secured the Junior title in 2024. It's one of those very demanding rallies where you have to think about a lot of factors that maybe aren't such a big focus at other events.
“Hydration is really important, and you need to keep yourself in good condition to get through three tough days. The same applies to the car and the tyres – you have to manage them carefully and can't always push at 100 per cent on every stage, otherwise problems can quickly arise.
“Overall, I'm really looking forward to it. It's always a very enjoyable rally.”
