Its lights out in Saudi Arabia as the much-awaited Dakar Rally Saudi Arabia 2026 races back into the Kingdom.
The sand, sun, and treacherous routes galore rally has begun and will be bringing nonstop action all January.
What’s more, the motorsport’s challenging trek has been mapped out and was revealed during the Dakar 2026 presentation on Thursday, November 13, 2025.
Now, the bikes and the cars have rev’d up their engines and taken-off in the gleaming Saudi sun.
Starting from Yanbu, the vehicles will spend today, Sunday January 4 and Monday, January 5 slipping and sliding towards AlUla.
So, buckle in and prepare to watch the blood pressure raising event. Here is everything about the seventh edition of the rally in the Kingdom.
Dakar Rally Saudi Arabia 2026 route
Get ready for the 2026 Dakar Rally, roaring across Saudi Arabia in January. This epic 8,000-kilometre loop kicks off and wraps up by the Red Sea, with 5,000 kilometres of timed racing through some of the world’s toughest terrain. Midway through, drivers will catch their breath with a rest day in Riyadh before hitting the dunes again. Unveiled by race director David Castera, the 48th edition also marks the start of the new W2RC season, setting the stage for another adrenaline-charged adventure.
Dakar Rally Saudi Arabia 2026 route locations
The rally will crossing the start and finish lines in Yanbu, a change from the usual start in AlUla. What’s more, the rally will no longer be going through the perilous Empty Quarter. Instead, now the rally will run through Al Bahah, Aseer, and Ha’il. After driving through Al Qassim, the rally drivers will vroom through Riyadh where they will be given a rest day.
- Sunday, January 4-Monday, January 5: Yanbu to AlUla
- Tuesday, January 6-Thursday, January 8: AlUla to Ha’il
- Friday, January 9: Ha’il to Riyadh
- Saturday, January 10: Rest day in Riyadh
- Sunday, January 11-Monday January 12: Wadi Ad-Dawasir
- Tuesday, January 13-Wednesday, January 14: Wadi Ad-Dawasir to Bisha, Aseer
- Thursday, January 15: Bisha, Aseer to Al Henakiyah
- Friday, January 16-Saturday, January 17: Al Henakiyah to Yanbu
Dakar Rally Saudi Arabia 2026 dates
The rally will offer 14 days of high speed action. You will be at the edge of your seat until Saturday, January 17, 2025.
Dakar Rally Saudi Arabia 2026 route events
Marathon Refuge
The Dakar Rally Saudi Arabia 2026 routte is dialing up the drama with its marathon-refuge stages. Think two back-to-back challenges where riders and crews are stripped down to the basics, a sleeping bag, a tent, and a ration pack. One stage hits midweek, the other later in the rally, testing pure endurance and grit. No clever tactics or shortcuts here; the starting order sticks to the standings, making it all about skill and survival.
Split Tracks
Cars, trucks, and bikes won’t be sharing the same Dakar Rally Saudi Arabia route 2026 trails in certain parts of the race this year. Four stages will feature separate FIA and FIM routes, making the rally safer and fairer for everyone. It means fewer risky overtakes, more daylight driving time, and a true navigation challenge for the sharpest teams. Any strategy to game the start times? Forget it. Whatever’s gained one day will likely be lost the next.
Dakar Classic
The beloved Dakar Classic keeps growing, bringing together die-hard fans and vintage car lovers. Open to cars and trucks from the 1980s, 1990s, and even up to 2005, it’s part nostalgia trip, part endurance test. In 2026, crews will cover a record 4,500 kilometres, grouped by their vehicles’ capabilities and experience levels. It’s a beautiful mix of passion, history, and horsepower.
Saudi Next Gen
Saudi Arabia’s Next Gen program is paying off in style. Last year, Yazeed Al Rajhi made history, and now young talents Hamza Bakhashab, 21, and Abdullah Alsheqawi, 27, are stepping up for their Dakar debut after a five-day rally immersion. Their journey from trainees to competitors is inspiring a whole new wave of Saudi off-road hopefuls eager to follow in their tracks.
Mission 1000
Innovation meets endurance with Mission 1000, the Dakar’s own testing ground for futuristic vehicles. These alternative-energy machines will once again hit the desert for the third year in a row, covering distances tailored to their evolving tech. It’s more than just a race, it’s a rolling lab pushing the limits of what sustainable rallying can be.
Where to watch Dakar Rally Saudi Arabia 2026
Catch the heart-thumping twists and turns across the Saudi sands on the following channels,
- Pan Middle East
- MBC Action
If you are looking to stream the rally, you should launch your Shahid app.
Motorsports in Saudi
The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2026 has been confirmed for another exciting edition, packed with high-speed action and plenty to look forward to, and the tickets have been released. There is also the f4 Saudi Arabian championship which currently has people flocking the Jeddah Corniche Circuit for a high-speed evening.
Sat Jan 3-Sat Jan 17, 2026. Across Saudi, dakar.com.
