The 12th Rallye Ciutat de Xixona is set to bring 10,000 fans and a major economic windfall to Alicante. With top drivers and a €30,000 budget, the event highlights the region’s growing motorsport ambitions.
Hotels in Xixona and nearby towns are booked solid. Shops and restaurants are bracing for a rush. This weekend, 10,000 motorsport fans are expected to flood the area for the 12th Rallye Ciutat de Xixona. The event is now a mainstay on Spain’s rally calendar. It’s not just about speed. The rally is set to pump hundreds of thousands of euros into the local economy.
Organizers have put more than €30,000 into making the rally happen. They expect the economic return to top €300,000. That money will move through hotels, restaurants, and small businesses. The action will play out across three special stages: Aigües-Relleu, Relleu, and Abió-Xixona-Horchateros. The route covers 322 kilometers. Of those, 72 kilometers are timed and fiercely contested.
The 2026 edition of Rallye Ciutat de Xixona is officially listed in the calendar of the Valencian Motorsport Federation (FACV) for October 3–4, confirming its status as a recognized regional sporting event.
It takes a small army to pull this off. About 150 staff and volunteers will handle everything from Friday’s technical checks to Saturday’s double runs on each stage. Víctor Cañizares, the rally’s president, opened the official presentation. He laid out the technical and financial plan. He also thanked sponsors and partners. Their support keeps the rally alive.
Local leaders see the rally as a big deal. Isabel López, mayor of Xixona, called it “a luxury rally we share with several towns in the province’s interior, where tourism promotion is also crucial.” She said the event brings money and shines a light on the region’s lesser-known landscapes. Sports councillor Marcos Ros agreed. He said the rally inspires young people and brings real financial benefits to the community.
The entry list is stacked. There are 46 teams, with 37 in the main Velocity category. All eyes are on Miguel Fuster. He’s a six-time Spanish rally champion and leads the national asphalt championship. Fuster will drive the Skoda Fabia RS Rally 2 for Team Recalvi. He’s not alone at the front. Rally2 teams Polidura-Soto and Moreno-Fuentes are ready to challenge. The Porsche 911 GT3 of Tolosa-Salom and Fernando Garrido’s Citroën DS3 WRC “ex Loeb” are also in the hunt. Expect a fight at the front.
According to independent event aggregators and the official calendar of the Valencian Motorsport Federation, Rallye Ciutat de Xixona is not a one-off local event but a recurring, officially sanctioned stage, with Xixona Sport as the organizer. However, recent checks show that figures such as 10,000 spectators, €30,000 budget, and €300,000 economic impact have not yet been independently verified in open sources.
For Fuster, this rally is more than a shot at another trophy. It’s a key test for his car’s setup—mechanics, suspension, and brakes—before the next round of the Spanish Asphalt Rally Championship in Valencia. The winding roads in Alicante’s interior are tough. They push drivers and cars to the limit.
The rally’s rise is no accident. Nacho Aviñó, president of the Valencian Motorsport Federation, credits the organizers, sponsors, and fans. He called on spectators to follow safety rules. The goal is simple. Keep the event thrilling and safe for everyone.
Engines will roar. Crowds will gather. Xixona’s rally shows how a regional event can deliver more than just excitement. It brings real money to local businesses. The formula is clear: invest in quality, bring in top drivers, and build strong local ties. It works. Other Spanish motorsport events have seen the same results, as recent coverage of the Rallye Gibralfaro shows.
The local council has already promised support for future editions. The Rallye Ciutat de Xixona looks set to stay at the heart of Alicante’s sporting and economic life. It unites towns, boosts business, and attracts elite drivers. That’s the path forward for regional motorsport in Spain. Ambition, teamwork, and a strong sense of place.
