Madeira Rally 2026 – Serra de Água Stage (Ribeira Brava)
The historic Madeira Rally returns from 30 July to 1 August 2026, with Saturday's leg heading west. The municipality of Ribeira Brava hosts the legendary Serra de Água stage, run in Power Stage format — a thrilling motorsport spectacle in the heart of Madeira's mountains.
The Madeira Rally (Rali da Madeira), one of Portugal's most charismatic motorsport events with a history dating back to 1959, takes place in 2026 from 30 July to 1 August. After more than 60 editions, the rally continues to attract top drivers and thousands of fans who flock to the island's mountain roads to experience the thrill of speed up close.
The 2026 edition focuses heavily on the mountains and features 15 special classification stages, totalling close to 205 timed kilometres. The event kicks off on Thursday 30 July with a super-special stage on Avenida do Mar in Funchal, run in an urban arena format. On Friday, the rally moves to the east of the island, with eight stages and around 120 kilometres, including runs through Campo de Golfe, Palheiro Ferreiro, Chão da Lagoa, Poiso, Santana and the descent to Ribeiro Frio.
It is on Saturday 1 August that the caravan heads west and the municipality of Ribeira Brava takes centre stage. The day features a double loop of three stages, roughly 80 timed kilometres, reviving classic sections such as Ponta do Sol and Ponta do Pargo. The highlight is the closing stage in Serra de Água, a parish of Ribeira Brava, run in Power Stage format — a legendary stretch of road nestled between lush green mountains near Encumeada, likely to decide the rally by the finest of margins.
For visitors to Ribeira Brava, the rally is a unique chance to experience a sporting tradition deeply rooted in Madeiran culture. Fans gather early at spectator zones along the route, creating a festive atmosphere with families, picnics and plenty of passion for motorsport. Watching is free, but arrive early: access roads close several hours before the cars pass through.
Check the official programme and detailed itinerary on the organiser's website before travelling, choose signposted spectator areas, and always follow the instructions of the authorities and marshals. Combine the rally with a stroll through the seaside town of Ribeira Brava or a traditional meal in Serra de Água, and enjoy an unforgettable summer day on Madeira's west coast.