Riyadh | BETH

The 2026 Saudi Dakar Rally kicks off tomorrow, Saturday, January 3, marking the Kingdom’s seventh consecutive hosting of the event. The rally is organized under the supervision of the Ministry of Sports, the Saudi Automobile & Motorcycle Federation, and promoted by the Saudi Motorsports Company, continuing its presence as one of the toughest and most prominent challenges in the world of motorsport on Saudi soil.

Leadership Support and National Capabilities

His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, Minister of Sports and President of the Saudi Olympic & Paralympic Committee, emphasized that hosting the rally for the seventh time reflects the Kingdom’s unprecedented support for the sports sector, as well as its logistical and human capabilities that have contributed to the event’s success across Saudi Arabia’s diverse terrains.

HRH also highlighted that this year’s edition features 812 competitors from 69 nationalities, competing in 433 vehicles across six categories over a total distance of 7,994 km, including 4,840 km of timed special stages, showcasing the level of challenge and global competition.

New Routes… Increased Challenges

HRH Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al Abdullah Al Faisal, Chairman of the Saudi Automobile & Motorcycle Federation and the Saudi Motorsports Company, confirmed the commitment to delivering an exceptional edition that reflects the Kingdom’s capabilities. He pointed out updates to the rally routes, including two marathon stages that enhance the race’s difficulty and excitement.

Rally Route (13 Stages + Prologue)

Prologue – Sat, Jan 3: Yanbu – Yanbu (98 km | Special 23 km)

Stage 1 – Sun, Jan 4: Yanbu – Yanbu (518 km | Special 305 km)

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

Stage 3 – Tue, Jan 6: Al-Ula – Al-Ula (666 km | Special 422 km)

Stage 4 – Wed, Jan 7: Al-Ula – Bivouac (526 km | Special 451 km)

Stage 5 – Thu, Jan 8: Bivouac – Hail (428 km | Special 372 km)

Stage 6 – Fri, Jan 9: Hail – Riyadh (920 km | Special 331 km)

Rest Day – Sat, Jan 10: Riyadh

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

Stage 8 – Mon, Jan 12: Wadi Al-Dawasir – Wadi Al-Dawasir (717 km | Special 481 km)

Stage 9 – Tue, Jan 13: Wadi Al-Dawasir – Bivouac (531 km | Special 410 km)

Stage 10 – Wed, Jan 14: Bivouac – Bisha (469 km | Special 421 km)

Stage 11 – Thu, Jan 15: Bisha – Al-Hanakiyah (882 km | Special 347 km)

Stage 12 – Fri, Jan 16: Al-Hanakiyah – Yanbu (718 km | Special 310 km)

Stage 13 – Sat, Jan 17: Yanbu – Yanbu (141 km | Special 105 km)

Promising Saudi Presence

Saudi competitors Hamza Bakhshab and Abdullah Al-Shaqawi will participate in the SSV category as part of the “Next Saudi Generation 2025” program, which continues to develop national talents and enable them to compete internationally. The program is also preparing to launch a new batch of talents with an intensive training camp in Yanbu ahead of Dakar Saudi 2027.