Details of the 2026 Dakar Rally have been revealed in Jeddah today, confirming a gruelling 8,000-kilometre adventure for the 48th edition of the world’s toughest rally, running from January 3 to 17 and opening the fifth season of the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC).

The route will start and finish on the Red Sea coast in Yanbu, travelling deep into Saudi Arabia before looping back via Riyadh, but this year without a visit to the vast Empty Quarter. Organisers promise a balanced but still punishing challenge, featuring nearly 5,000 kilometres of timed specials and two marathon stages.

Mid-stage service points added

Riders will face the first marathon overnight on stage four and the second on stage nine, both with no outside assistance and basic bivouac conditions. For the first time, the rally will also include several mid-stage service points to help competitors survive the toughest terrain and protect tyres and mousses on long rocky sections.

No Empty Quarter

Among the highlights, stage six will stretch to 925 kilometres in total – including 336 kilometres against the clock – before the rest day in Riyadh on January 10. The return leg heads southwest through Wadi Ad-Dawasir and Bisha before a navigation-heavy penultimate day 11 and the final push back to Yanbu.

2026_dakar_daily_stage_plan

The 2026 Dakar sees a total of 325 vehicles entered, including 118 motorcycles and seven electric bikes in the Mission 1000 category – a special shorter course designed for alternative-energy prototypes, including two privately entered Stark Vargs.

Rider entry list:

dakar_2026-entry_list-1dakar_2026-entry_list-2dakar_2026-entry_list-3dakar_2026-entry_list-4