Dakar Rally 2026 Dates

The Dakar Rally 2026 is scheduled to take place from January 3nd to January 17th, 2026, once again in the vast deserts of Saudi Arabia. This includes a prologue and 12 challenging stages for both the Dakar FIA and Dakar Classic categories.

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These dates are published by the official organizer A.S.O. and may be subject to minor adjustments.

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• June 7th, 2025: Registrations opening

• July 17th, 2025: Selection of drivers and vehicles

• September 10th, 2025: End of 1st assistance fee

• September 30th, 2025: End of 2nd assistance fee

• October 20th, 2025: Closing of entries

• End of November, 2025: Press conference

• End of November, 2025: Scrutineering (Barcelona)

• End of November, 2025: Vehicles boarding (Barcelona)

• December 30th, 2025: Vehicles picking-up in Yanbu (KSA)

• December 31st, 2025 & January 1st and 2nd, 2026: Private tests

• January 1st and 2nd, 2026: Administrative and technical checks in Saudi Arabia

• January 1st, 2026: Dakar briefing

• January 3rd, 2026: Dakar 2026 start podium and prologue

• January 4th, 2026: Dakar 2026 first stage

• January 17th, 2026: Dakar 2026 final stage and final podium