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Dakar Rally 2026 Set to Start Saturday With Route, Entries and Broadcasts Confirmed

Marathon stages plus split bike–car routes signal a tougher course with stricter safety protocol.

Overview

  • The event runs January 3–17 in Saudi Arabia, starting and finishing in Yanbu on a near‑8,000 km itinerary with 12 stages, a prologue and one rest day, including about 4,800 km of timed specials.
  • Organizers confirm two marathon stages with no external assistance, plus new pit‑stop options for tire changes in select stages to manage attrition.
  • For safety, FIM motorcycles and FIA cars/trucks will follow separated routes on designated days and use distinct bivouacs.
  • Competition spans Motos, Autos, Challengers, SSV/UTV, Camiones, Dakar Classic, Misión 1000 and Stock, with Argentina fielding roughly 20 entrants across most categories and none in trucks.
  • Latin American viewers have confirmed coverage on América TV and ESPN, with streaming via Disney+ Premium and additional updates on official Dakar channels.