13 stages, 7,906 km of total distance and 4,748 km of special stages – Dakar 2026 promises an epic adventure across the Saudi desert. The rally kicks off on January 3rd in the coastal city of Yanbu and returns there for the finish two weeks later, on January 17th. Expect two marathon stages, demanding dunes, rocky sections and new bivouac formats – all designed by David Castera and his team.

For the 7th edition of the Dakar in Saudi Arabia, organizers prepared one of the most demanding routes in recent history – not only in length, but also in terrain variety and the physical and technical challenge. For the first time, motorcycles and cars will follow separate routes during four stages, and the concept of the “bivouac refuge” – marathon stages with minimal support – returns.