Dakar Rally Saudi Arabia 2026 countdown begins with less than 30 days to go

📷SPA

Riyadh, December 6 (SABN) – The countdown has officially begun for Dakar Rally Saudi Arabia 2026, with less than 30 days remaining before the start of the seventh consecutive edition hosted in the Kingdom.

Held from January 3 to 17, the rally is supervised by the Ministry of Sport, organized by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation (SAMF), and promoted by the Saudi Motorsport Company.

Officials said the 2026 edition will feature a redesigned route crossing regions with varied terrain, offering competitors new challenges while showcasing the Kingdom’s landscapes and historic sites.

Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, Chairman of SAMF and the Saudi Motorsport Company, said the Dakar Rally is part of the Kingdom’s broader goal to establish itself as a global motorsport hub. He cited Saudi Arabia’s hosting of major international championships, including the World Rally Championship, Formula 1, Formula E and Extreme H.

Prince Khalid added that Dakar Rally Saudi Arabia 2025 marked a milestone for the Kingdom when Saudi driver Yazeed Al-Rajhi became the first national competitor to achieve a major victory in the event. He noted the rising number of Saudi drivers participating this year as evidence of successful talent-development initiatives.

The 2026 edition will host 812 competitors from 69 countries, using 433 vehicles across eight categories: Ultimate B, Ultimate, Stock, Challenger, Side-by-Side, Trucks, Motorbikes and Quad Bikes. The event covers 7,999 kilometers, including 4,845 kilometers of timed Special Stages.

The rally begins on Saturday, January 3, with a 23-kilometer Prologue Stage in Yanbu.

Stage details:

• Jan 4: Stage 1 in Yanbu – 305 km

• Jan 5: Stage 2 Yanbu to AlUla – 400 km

• Jan 6: Stage 3 in AlUla – 422 km

• Jan 7: Stage 4 AlUla to Marathon Camp – 451 km

• Jan 8: Stage 5 Marathon Camp to Hail – 372 km

• Jan 9: Stage 6 Hail to Riyadh – 336 km

• Jan 10: Rest day in Riyadh

• Jan 11: Stage 7 Riyadh to Wadi Al-Dawasir – 462 km

• Jan 12: Stage 8 Wadi Al-Dawasir – 481 km

• Jan 13: Stage 9 toward Marathon Camp – 410 km

• Jan 14: Stage 10 Marathon Camp to Bisha – 421 km

• Jan 15: Stage 11 Bisha to Al-Hanakiyah – 347 km

• Jan 16: Stage 12 Al-Hanakiyah to Yanbu – 310 km

• Jan 17: Final Stage 13 in Yanbu – 105 km

All listed distances refer to timed Special Stages.