The 2026 Rallye Casinos do Algarve once again brought the excitement of motorsport to the Algarve roads, with Lagoa playing a prominent role as one of the event's main bases. The competition, which took place from October 1st to 3rd, attracted drivers, teams, professionals, sponsors, and thousands of motorsport fans to the municipality.
Part of the Portuguese Rally Championship, the rally traversed several Algarve municipalities, offering three days of competition. The Municipal Fair and Exhibition Park of Lagoa, within the FATACIL grounds, served as the operational hub, hosting the Service Park, Parc Fermé, Fun Park, and the start and finish areas. The official Race Start took place in Lagoa on the afternoon of Friday, October 2nd.
The duo Pedro Almeida / António Costa, in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, won the overall classification. The crew supported by the Municipality of Lagoa, Ricardo Teodósio / José Teixeira, in a Citroën C3 Rally2, achieved 2nd place in the Rally Masters. João Rodrigues and Bruno Carvalho secured the National CPR 2RM Championship title.
The event's organization aligns with the strategy “Lagoa Acolhe Grandes Eventos” (Lagoa Hosts Big Events), which leverages sport as a tool for economic development and territorial promotion. Lagoa's capacity to host national-scale events positions it as a territory with adequate infrastructure and logistics.
The Mayor of Lagoa Municipality, Luís Encarnação, highlighted the rally as an example of the municipality's strategy to host and capitalize on major events for promotion and territorial dynamism, emphasizing sport's role in supporting local athletes and attracting diverse audiences.
The Rallye Casinos do Algarve was organized by the Clube Automóvel do Algarve, under the auspices of the FPAK, and sponsored by Solverde Casinos e Hotéis and the Municipalities of Lagoa, Lagos, Portimão, Silves, and Ourique.
