Dubai:The 2026 Dubai International Baja will be held from November 5 to 8 under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, marking the tenth anniversary of the event in its current Baja format. The event is part of a longstanding motorsport tradition in Dubai that began with the inaugural Dubai Rally in 1979.
According to Emirates News Agency, the Dubai International Baja will host the final rounds of the 2026 FIA World Baja Cup and the FIA Middle East Baja Cup. It will also feature the penultimate round of the FIM Bajas World Cup and the final round of the FIM Asia Baja Continental Championship. The event, organized by the Emirates Motorsports Organisation (EMSO), will be based at Dubai Festival City, with ceremonial start and finish activities scheduled for November 6 and 8, respectively.
Competitors will face two challenging desert stages in Al Qudra, with categories including FIA Ultimate, Challenger, SSV, and Stock, alongside motorcycle and quad riders competing for FIM honors. The event is significant for UAE and regional competitors, especially in the FIA Middle East Baja Cup finale.
Khalfan Juma Belhoul, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, emphasized Dubai’s global reputation for hosting major sporting events and its growing appeal as a motorsport destination. He highlighted the event’s role in engaging the local community and contributing to the development of Dubai's sporting culture, aligning with the Dubai Sports Sector Strategic Plan 2033.
Khalid Ben Sulayem, President of the EMSO, noted that the tenth anniversary of the Baja format is an opportunity to reflect on the event’s development and the growth of cross-country rallying in the region. The Al Qudra stages will test competitors’ speed, endurance, and navigation skills, and provide a platform for regional talent to compete against the world’s best.
The 2025 edition saw UAE’s Mohammed Al-Balooshi win his fourth FIM Bajas World Cup title, while Argentina's Juan Cruz Yacopini and Spanish co-driver Dani Oliveras triumphed in the FIA car competition. UAE’s Abdulaziz Ahli won in the quad category.
The event will begin with administrative checks and scrutineering on November 5, followed by the Prologue and ceremonial start on November 6, concluding with the final competitive stage and finish celebrations on November 8. Additional details will be announced in the coming weeks.