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The Dakar Rally roars into life today as the world’s toughest rally prepares to begin its seventh edition in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Starting at the Red Sea port of Yanbu, the opening round of the FIA-FIM Rally-Raid World Championship (W2RC) will once again test competitors to the limit as they race across a vast and demanding route stretching deep into the heart of the Arabian landscape. There is plenty for fans to look out for as Dakar Rally Saudi Arabia unfolds over a total distance of 7,994 kilometres, including 4,840 kilometres of timed Special Stages. Across the two-week event from January 3 to 17, a total of 787 competitors will pilot over 421 vehicles — spanning bikes, cars, 4x4s, trucks and SSVs — through some of the Kingdom’s most varied and challenging terrain.

Held under the supervision of the Ministry of Sport and organized by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation and the Saudi Motorsport Company, this year’s edition features a revised route that reflects stages across nature, highlighting the ongoing evolution of motorsport’s toughest endurance test. Beginning and ending in Yanbu, the Prologue and 13 competitive stages nearly match the longest distance seen across the six previous editions hosted in the Kingdom and showcases the scale and diversity of Saudi Arabia’s natural beauty. From the familiar routes around AlUla and Hail to the navigational challenges of Wadi Al-Dawasir and Bisha, drivers and crews will face a demanding mix of gravel terrain, sandy dunes and mountainous rocky corridors.

The 2026 route will also feature two ‘marathon-refuge’ stages, during which only competitor-to-competitor assistance is permitted. Fewer Bivouacs will allow for better-rested support crews, while the rest day will be held in the Saudi capital of Riyadh, at the mid-point of the rally on January 10. Fans will be able to see a wide variety of machines tackling this iconic event.

At the top of the field are the T1 Ultimate cars — the fastest and most advanced vehicles on the rally — with 72 entries competing for overall honours. There are also production Stock (T2) cars, showcasing durability and endurance. Look out for Ford’s V8-powered Raptor T1+, Dacia’s Sandriders entry, and the new Defender Dakar D7X-R.

The 37 Challenger (T3) and 41 Side-by-Side (SSV — T4) entries bring lightweight, agile vehicles into the mix, often producing some of the closest racing of the event. On two wheels, the motorcycle classes — featuring 115 bikes — remain a defining feature of Dakar, while the 45-entry Truck (T5) category delivers its own spectacle, with massive machines battling the sand and heat. Special categories such as Dakar Classic (featuring 75 cars, 22 trucks) and Mission 1000 add further depth, celebrating the event’s heritage while also looking towards the future through alternative and innovative technologies.

As ever, Dakar Rally Saudi Arabia attracts a world-class field. Former winners and multiple champions line up across all categories, bringing experience, speed and hard-earned Dakar knowledge. Established rally stars such as Carlos Sainz, Nasser Al-Attiyah, Sébastien Loeb and Stéphane Peterhansel return in 2026, alongside reigning bike champion Daniel Sanders.

Beyond the international field representing 49 nationalities, Saudi Arabia’s presence continues to grow. Last year’s overall car winner Yazeed Al-Rajhi returns with Toyota to defend his crown, while in the Challenger class, Dania Akeel will again be one of the standout names to watch. After finishing third overall in the FIA Rally-Raid World Championship last season — in addition to her Dakar stage win in 2025 — Akeel represents the rising strength of Saudi competitors on the global rally-raid stage.

Now hosting its seventh edition, the Dakar Rally has continued to establish Saudi Arabia as a home of motorsport. From its natural landscapes to the logistical scale of the event and growing local engagement, recent years have helped shape some of the rally’s most memorable moments. One such highlight came 12 months ago, when a Saudi driver claimed overall victory in the Car category for the first time — a landmark achievement that continues to inspire the next generation within the Kingdom.

“Our champion, Yazeed Al-Rajhi, is the one who made the Saudi dream a reality, and what makes me proud is seeing the number of Saudi competitors increase every year,” said HRH Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, Chairman of the Saudi Automobile & Motorcycle Federation and Saudi Motorsport Company.  

“In recent editions of the Dakar in Saudi Arabia we have seen how fierce the competition has been across the different categories. This is exactly what we hope for and what we look for: lots of battles, lots of excitement, lots of action.” The Dakar Rally Saudi Arabia 2026 will take place from January 3 to 17, spanning 14 race days and featuring a Prologue and 13 competitive stages.

The seventh edition hosted in the Kingdom brings together 787 competitors representing 49 nationalities, competing across 421 vehicles in multiple categories. The field includes 72 Ultimate cars, 45 trucks, 115 motorbikes, 7 Stock vehicles, 37 Challengers, 41 Side-by-Side vehicles, 75 Classic cars, 22 Classic trucks, and six Mission 1000 motorbikes, in addition to one truck, underlining the rally’s international reach and competitive diversity. Moreover, the new 2026 route promises a challenge worthy of the Dakar name.

Each region presents its own rhythm and demands, rewarding those who can adapt and stay focused across two intense weeks. As the rally unfolds, the diversity of the terrain and the scale of competition reflect the enduring spirit of Dakar and the growing role of Saudi Arabia as a defining stage for the world’s toughest rally.

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