Full route, schedule and marathon stage particulars

The forty seventh version of the Dakar Rally will start on 3 January and mark the beginning of the 2026 motorsport season.

As has been the case yearly since 2020, the occasion will run totally in Saudi Arabia, having moved from its former base in South America. This implies the Gulf nation would be the sole host of the world’s most prestigious cross-country rally for the seventh consecutive yr

However whereas the situation stays the identical, organiser ASO has considerably reworked the route for 2026, providing rivals a contemporary problem throughout Saudi Arabia’s huge deserts.

The 2026 Dakar Rally will characteristic 13 full levels, plus the normal Prologue that can assist decide the beginning order for the primary full day of motion. The rally might be cut up by a relaxation day within the capital Riyadh, permitting crews some important restoration time earlier than the decisive second week.

Opponents within the automobiles class will cowl 7,994 kilometres over two weeks, together with 4,880km within the type of aggressive particular levels, with the rest made up of transport sections.

With almost 5,000km of timed operating, the 2026 version might be one of many longest Dakars by way of aggressive distance, making it doubtlessly one of many hardest occasions within the rally’s latest historical past.

One of many greatest modifications for 2026 is the elimination of the 48-hour chrono stage, which was launched in 2024 and revised for final yr’s occasion.

The choice was made within the wake of a crash-heavy 2025 occasion by which a number of main contenders had been knocked out within the opening week, together with on the brutal 48-hour stage early within the rally.

“That is not the case as a result of final yr we had a small drawback, particularly with the automobiles, but in addition with the bikes,” Dakar director David Castera defined. 

“It was primarily about technique, beginning order, and so forth. A 48-hour stage does not actually assist in that regard, so I scrapped it. We’ll see if we will discover one other answer later. 

“However final yr we already noticed that many rivals intentionally stopped on the finish of the levels so they may begin later the subsequent day. So that they intentionally misplaced time.”

Instead of the 48-hour stage, the outdated two-day marathon format returns in 2026 and can seem twice on the route. As per marathon guidelines, rivals won’t be allowed any exterior help from their assist crews on the in a single day bivouac.

The primary marathon will happen levels on 4 and 5 by way of Al Ula and Hail, whereas the second will comprise levels 9 and 10 when rivals traverse by way of Wadi Advert Dawasir and Bisha.

Additional, Dakar won’t enterprise into the unforgiving Empty Quarters desert in Saudi Arabia as a part of the brand new route. Nevertheless, there might be no scarcity of sand dunes this yr, significantly within the second week when drivers and riders sort out the barren areas round Wadi Advert Dawasir.

“The issue is totally different from final yr or the yr earlier than, as a result of now the variety of kilometres is an important issue,” mentioned Castera.

“We now have virtually 5,000 kilometres of timed levels, and that is rather a lot. It has been a very long time since we have had that many kilometres. I feel this is without doubt one of the longest Dakars ever.”

Dakar Rally: Full 2026 route

*denotes marathon levels

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