The 2017 World Touring Car Championship calendar has been unveiled, featuring the return of Monza and Macau but the loss of races in France, Slovakia, Russia and Thailand.
The loss of races in France and Russia is unsurprising, given the withdrawal of factory teams from both Citroën and LADA and the importance of a home race to each respective marque.
The season kicks off in Morocco on April 7th, marking the first time since 2014 that the African country has begun proceedings.
The championship will then move to Italy, with Monza featuring on the list of venues for the first time since 2013, having not been a part of the championship for the past three years.
The return of Macau comes after a two-year absence, during which time the Guia race became part of the calendar for the TCR International Series.
Having been the host of the final round during its time on the WTCC calendar between 2005 and 2014, next year Macau won’t be the location of the climax, with that honour once again falling to the night race in Qatar.
It means that the season will finish later than ever before, with the title potentially not being decided until December 1st in the Middle East.
Significantly, the calendar only features ten events which may be seen by championship promoter Eurosport Events as part of a cost-cutting drive, given both the increasing costs and the need to attract new entrants into the championship.
| Round | Country | Circuit | Date |
| 1, 2 |  |
Marrakech | 7 – 9 April |
| 3, 4 |  |
Autodromo di Monza | 28 – 30 April |
| 5, 6 |  |
Hungaroring | 12 – 14 May |
| 7, 8 |  |
Nürburgring Nordschleife | 25 – 27 May |
| 9, 10 |  |
Vila Real | 23 – 25 June |
| 11, 12 |  |
Autodromo Termas de Rio Hondo | 4 – 6 August |
| 13, 14 |  |
Shanghai International Circuit | 13 – 15 October |
| 15, 16 |  |
Twin Ring Motegi | 27 – 29 October |
| 17, 18 |  |
Circuito da Guia | 17 – 19 November |
| 19, 20 |  |
Losail International Circuit | 30 Nov – 1 Dec |