Dakar Rally 2026: Saudi Arabia Confirms Dates for Seventh Edition

  • Publish date: Sunday، 28 December 2025 Reading time: two min read

Race returns in January with extended contract through 2030 and a new 8,000km route

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Saudi Arabia has officially announced the dates for the Dakar Rally 2026, confirming the return of one of the world’s most demanding motorsport events for its seventh edition in the Kingdom.

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The race will take place from Saturday, January 3 to Saturday, January 17, 2026, bringing elite competitors, global media attention and thousands of motorsport fans to the region.

This edition marks a new milestone, as Dakar has extended its presence in Saudi Arabia for an additional five years, securing its run in the Kingdom until 2030. Organizers have unveiled a refreshed race itinerary featuring some of the most challenging dunes, rocky paths and desert landscapes in the world.

More than 812 competitors from 69 nationalities will participate, racing in 433 vehicles across multiple classes. The 2026 Dakar Rally route covers approximately 7,994km, including 4,840km of special timed stages, testing endurance, navigation and technical performance across diverse terrain.

This year’s rally begins and ends in Yanbu, a scenic coastal hub along the Red Sea, with a full 14-day race journey passing through Al-Ula, Hail, Riyadh, Wadi Al-Dawasir, Bisha and Al-Hanakiya, before circling back to Yanbu for the final stage and podium finish.

Key Stages – Dakar Rally Saudi Arabia 2026 Schedule

  • Stage 1 (Sat, Jan 3): Yanbu – Opening stage

  • Stage 2 (Mon, Jan 5): Yanbu – Al-Ula – 504km (400km special)

  • Stage 3 (Tue, Jan 6): Al-Ula – Al-Ula loop – 666km (422km special)

  • Stage 4 (Wed, Jan 7): Al-Ula – Overnight Camp – 526km (451km special)

  • Stage 5 (Thu, Jan 8): Camp – Hail – 428km (372km special)

  • Stage 6 (Fri, Jan 9): Hail – Riyadh – 920km (331km special)

  • Rest Day (Sat, Jan 10): Riyadh

  • Stage 7 (Sun, Jan 11): Riyadh – Wadi Al-Dawasir – 876km (462km special)

  • Stage 8 (Mon, Jan 12): Wadi Al-Dawasir loop – 717km (481km special)

  • Stage 9 (Tue, Jan 13): Wadi Al-Dawasir – Camp – 531km (410km special)

  • Stage 10 (Wed, Jan 14): Camp – Bisha – 469km (421km special)

  • Stage 11 (Thu, Jan 15): Bisha – Al-Hanakiya – 882km (347km special)

  • Stage 12 (Fri, Jan 16): Al-Hanakiya – Yanbu – 718km (310km special)

  • Stage 13 (Sat, Jan 17): Yanbu – Final stage – 141km (105km special)

The Dakar Rally continues to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s position as a global hub for motorsport, adventure tourism and large-scale international sporting events. With record participation and a demanding new route, Dakar 2026 is expected to draw worldwide audiences as competitors battle dunes, rock fields and long-distance navigation challenges across nearly 8,000km of terrain.

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