The HunGarian Baja returns from 13 to 15 August for its 23rd edition, bringing international cross-country rally action back to Várpalota with a revised route, new competitive sections and entries from 21 countries.
Competitors from across Europe and beyond — including Japan — will take on the distinctive terrain of Hungary’s vast military training area, a setting that has long given the event its particular character and created a demanding challenge for drivers, riders and navigators alike.
The 2026 HunGarian Baja will once again count towards both the FIA European Cup for Cross-Country Bajas and the M1 Flotta Hungarian National Cross-Country Rally Championship, combining high-level competition with a broader programme of entertainment and concerts in Várpalota.
Organising this year’s event has required several adjustments. Changes affecting the sporting environment in Hungary, route planning and the necessary permitting process all influenced preparations, but the organisers have now completed the final programme for the rally’s 23rd running.
FIA crews will face a total competitive distance of 432 kilometres, while competitors in the Hungarian championship will cover 303 kilometres.
The route will combine familiar sections with some significant changes. One sector, absent from the rally for several years, returns to the itinerary, while another section will be used for the first time in the history of the HunGarian Baja.
The result is a more varied course across Europe’s largest contiguous military training area, adding fresh challenges even for competitors already familiar with the event.
“We had to remove a 20-kilometre section from the eastern part of the route because the entire course lies within a Natura 2000 protected area, and I always try to find a solution that works for everyone involved,” explained event organiser Zoltán Garamvölgyi.
“The change should make the competition even more distinctive and enjoyable. To replace that section, we have brought back a route that has not been used for a long time, giving us a beautiful, long special stage.”
The revised layout brings another practical advantage for the competitors.
The newly introduced section lies close to the middle of the route, with the stage continuing after a neutralisation zone. This allows organisers to reduce the length of the road sections between the competitive stages and the service park, making the overall itinerary more compact.
As in previous editions, the service park will be based in Várpalota around the sports hall and Tesco area, while the historic Thury Castle will once again host rally headquarters.
Hunyadi Mátyás Square, directly in front of the castle, will form the ceremonial heart of the event. The official start will take place there on Friday evening, while the prize-giving ceremony will follow on Saturday.
The programme will continue beyond the finish line, with live performances and concerts scheduled to maintain the atmosphere in the city throughout the weekend.
Spectators will once again have access to dedicated viewing areas designed to provide close-up views of the rally while maintaining safe distances from the competition route.
One of the most popular locations, the jump at the main spectator zone on Tési Hill, has been redesigned for this year’s event. The jump is now larger but with a more forgiving profile, which should allow competitors to attack it with greater confidence while still producing some of the weekend’s most spectacular images.
Exact coordinates and detailed information for all official spectator areas will be published on the HunGarian Baja website during race week.
Telekom’s live coverage will also return, giving fans unable to travel to Várpalota the opportunity to follow the action remotely.
From 13 to 15 August, Várpalota will once again become one of the centres of European cross-country rallying, with three days of competition, international crews and machinery from across the rally-raid paddock.
For the HunGarian Baja, the 23rd edition brings something of both worlds: the familiar terrain that has shaped the event’s identity and enough new kilometres to ensure that experience alone will not be enough.
Source: HunGarian Baja
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