Saudi Arabia Maps Out 8,000 KM Desert Route for Dakar Rally 2026
Running from January 3rd to the 17th, the race will bring together riders, drivers, and newcomers from across the region for a two-week test of endurance spanning truck, car, and bike challenges.
The Dakar Rally will return to Saudi Arabia early next year, with the 2026 edition kicking off on Saturday, January 3rd. The two-week rally raid will bring together riders, drivers, and first-time entrants across car, bike, quad, and truck categories for one of motorsport’s most demanding endurance events.
This year’s route begins and ends in Yanbu on the Red Sea Coast, forming an 8,000-kilometre circuit that includes 5,000 kilometres of special stages across the Kingdom’s desert landscape. The race will conclude on January 17th after passing through regions including Riyadh and Makkah.
Several updates feature in this edition’s route design, including a marathon refuge where competitors will assist one another, as well as separate tracks for motorcycles and four-wheeled vehicles to improve safety. The Desert Lab also returns for a third year, with its Mission 1000 challenge once again providing a testing ground for vehicles powered by alternative and experimental technologies built to withstand desert conditions.
