With less than two weeks to go until the start of the most prominent event in the world of desert motorsports, preparations are accelerating in Saudi Arabia to host the seventh consecutive edition of the Dakar Rally Saudi Arabia 2026. This global event is held under the auspices of the Ministry of Sport and organized by the Saudi Arabian Motor Federation, in cooperation with Saudi Motorsports Company, reflecting the Kingdom's ongoing commitment to developing the sports sector and hosting major events.
As part of the extensive logistical preparations to ensure the success of this edition, King Fahd Industrial Port in Yanbu witnessed intense activity last week, receiving two ships arriving from the Spanish port of Barcelona. These ships carried hundreds of vehicles and technical and logistical equipment for the participating teams, in preparation for the rigorous technical inspections scheduled for January 1st and 2nd, to ensure compliance with the rally's stringent safety and performance standards.
The 2026 edition boasts unprecedented international participation, with 812 competitors representing 69 different nationalities preparing to take on the challenge in the Kingdom's desert. These champions will compete in 433 vehicles across multiple categories, including 73 Ultimate cars, 46 monster trucks, and 118 motorcycles, in addition to the Challenger, Side-by-Side, and Classic categories, which revive the glory of the past with 75 cars and 24 classic trucks. The competition also includes the Mission 1000 category, dedicated to vehicles with innovative and environmentally friendly technologies.
Historically, the continued hosting of the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia has cemented its position as a preferred global destination for motorsports, after the rally moved from Africa and South America to the diverse terrains of the Kingdom since 2020. The Kingdom’s geography, from the golden dunes of the Empty Quarter to the mountains of Tabuk and the terrains of Neom and Al-Ula, has added a new dimension of excitement and challenge that the rally has lacked for years, making the Saudi editions among the toughest and most enjoyable in the race’s more than four-decade history.
The meticulously designed new rally route kicks off on Saturday, January 3rd, with a prologue stage in Yanbu. The competition will span 14 days, encompassing 13 main stages. Competitors will traverse diverse cities and regions, including Al-Ula, Hail, Riyadh, Wadi Al-Dawasir, Bisha, and Al-Hanakiya, before returning to the finish line in Yanbu on January 17th. Participants will cover thousands of kilometers, testing their navigational skills and the endurance of their vehicles in the most challenging natural conditions.
The importance of hosting this event extends beyond the purely sporting aspect, encompassing significant economic and tourism benefits that align with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. The rally showcases the Kingdom's environmental and cultural diversity to millions of viewers worldwide, further solidifying Saudi Arabia's position as a global tourist destination. Moreover, hosting this number of major championships, such as Formula 1 and Formula E, underscores the capabilities of Saudi personnel and the Kingdom's infrastructure to efficiently and effectively manage and organize the largest international events.
