The route runs through AlUla, Riyadh, Jeddah, Hail and Yanbu.
Saudi Arabia, start your engines. Dakar Rally is back in the Kingdom, taking place on Saturday, 3 January 2026. The thrilling race goes through the country, from west to east and back again. If you want to watch the fun, here’s what you need to know.
Dakar Rally 2026 consists of both on- and off-road racing across 5,000 kilometres. Unlike previous editions, which started in AlUla and made their way through Saudi Arabia, this time it will begin in Yanbu. Continuing for 14 days, it will cover locations such as Al Ula, Riyadh, Jeddah, and Hail, and end back in Yanbu, on the shores of the Red Sea.
Like previous years, this edition of the Dakar Rally will also feature some new additions. One of the key additions is the Marathon-refuge, which allows competitors to receive assistance from fellow racers, offering only the bare essentials. To enhance safety, separate tracks have been established for motorcycles and four-wheeled vehicles, reducing the risk of accidents during overtaking. In the Dakar Classic, participants will face a new challenge covering a record-breaking 7,000 kilometres, including 4,500 kilometres of special stages.
The Saudi Next Generation Academy continues to develop young Saudi talent, with the 2025 winners set to make their official debut in the 2026 Dakar Rally. Lastly, the Desert Lab returns, featuring the Mission 1000 challenge, a testing ground for vehicles powered by innovative alternative technologies.
The Dakar Rally first started in Saudi Arabia in 2020. It has gained international recognition for its use of sustainable fuels and green vehicles. The race welcomed a female Saudi Arabian driver, Mashael Al Obaidan, for the first time in 2022. In 2024, it featured more than 1,000 racers. The Dakar Rally 2026 will be the seventh edition of the race in Saudi Arabia and is expected to take 14 days.
Strap in, it’s going to be an electrifying ride.
GO: Visit www.dakar.com for more information.