This was reported on Thursday morning to the President of the Republic, Santiago Peña Palacios, at the Presidential Residence, at a meeting led by the CEO of the Rally del Paraguay, César Marsal, the President of the Paraguayan Olympic Committee, Camilo Pérez López Moreira, the Minister and Deputy Minister of Communications, Gustavo Villate and Alejandra Duarte Albospino, respectively, the Minister of Tourism, Angie Duarte, the Deputy Minister of Trade and Services of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Rodrigo Maluff, among other members of the organizing team.
This number includes participation registered in the race stages, the Shakedown, the Fan Zone, the symbolic start, the hospitality areas, the awards ceremony, and other spaces that reflected a constant and incessant flow of spectators. The data was verified through toll records, tickets sold, aerial counts, and information provided by mobile phone operators.
One of the most notable figures was the arrival of 51,062 foreign visitors, according to the General Directorate of Migration, confirming the international impact of the World Rally Championship in Paraguay and its positioning as a sporting and tourist destination. In addition, the hotel sector in Itapúa experienced an unprecedented week, with occupancy rates reaching 100% on several days, according to reports from the Hoteliers Association.
In terms of media coverage, 358 professionals were accredited, including journalists, photographers, and television crews, as well as 24 members of the permanent WRC staff and 20 from the FIA, enabling the event to be broadcast in more than 106 countries. In Paraguay alone, 770,990 people followed the television coverage between Thursday, August 28, and Sunday, August 31, according to data from Kantar Ibope Media.
Connectivity was also part of the event’s legacy. The Tte. Amin Ayub González Airport in Capitán Miranda was enabled as an international airport, receiving seasonal flights from the Argentine airline FlyBondi, which connected Itapúa with Buenos Aires. DINAC reported a total of 270 flights related to the Rally, transporting 2,389 passengers. Likewise, the Encarnación Railway Station was remodeled and reactivated, receiving thousands of visitors.
Another milestone was the inauguration of the modern Hospital del Sur, which has state-of-the-art facilities and a specialized trauma ward, becoming a source of pride for the region.
Security was a key factor, with 5,000 police officers providing coverage for the event, 800 of whom belong to the Department of Itapúa and 4,200 from other departments. In addition, 1,200 military personnel provided coverage for the event.
The organizational success, massive public participation, and economic impact on the region position the Paraguay Rally as a true milestone for national sports and tourism, leaving an indelible mark on Itapúa and the entire country, with a view to exceeding expectations even further in 2026.
