With the historic Zappeion Megaron in the spotlight and the racing action returning to the capital, the EKO Acropolis Rally 2025 was officially presented, re-establishing Greece as an international destination for sports tourism and motorsport.
Specifically, a special event announced the holding of this year’s EKO Athens Super Special Stage in the heart of Athens, with a start in front of the Panathenaic Stadium and a racing route that passes through Vas. Konstantinou Avenue ends at Zappeion Square.
The 1.5-kilometer super special is not just a racing start – it is the point where history, culture, and modern sports meet before the eyes of the entire planet. With live broadcasts in dozens of countries, Athens is once again emerging as an international stage of great appeal.
“The super special is the showcase of the country – how Greece is re-introduced to the world”, noted the Deputy Minister of Sports, Yiannis Vroutsis, who attended the event to present the race in Greece
More than a race – A lever for extroversion and development
The choice of the center of the capital has tourist, economic, and cultural depth. The EKO Rally Acropolis is, as local bodies emphasized, a strategic investment that goes beyond the boundaries of sports.
“We deeply believe in the connection of sports with culture and tourist identity”, said, among others, the Governor of Attica, Nikos Hardalias.
For his part, the Mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, underlined the potential of the spectacle: “The route through the city’s historical landmarks will offer a unique experience for residents and visitors and will give Athens an international reputation.”
Sports tourism with a measurable impact
The economic footprint of the EKO Rally Acropolis in 2024 exceeded 45 million euros, with over 30,000 foreign spectators and tens of thousands of Greeks mobilizing in the race areas. From vehicle rentals to accommodations, the impact of the institution unfolds at vertical and horizontal levels of the economy.
In 2025, the race expands geographically, with 16 special stages in the Regions of Central Greece, Peloponnese, and – for the first time in three decades – Thessaly, emphasizing the national character of the event.
Road safety at the forefront
This year, the event is accompanied by an awareness campaign on road safety and the new 30 km/h speed limits in cities. With the message “Slow down”, the event highlights its social aspect, highlighting the importance of prevention and responsible driving.
Global impact for Greece
With television coverage reaching 1.3 billion viewers worldwide and 738 million digital views in 2024, the WRC is one of the most powerful means of promotion for the place that hosts it. And Greece, with the Acropolis, the Special Stages of Orini Fthiotida, and the heart of Athens as a backdrop, seems ready to make the most of this advantage.
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