Dubai International Baja Celebrates Decade of Excellence as Host of 2026 FIA World Finale
Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, the prestigious desert rally returns to mark ten years of its Baja format, welcoming the world's finest cross-country competitors to the Emirates.
The 2026 Dubai International Baja will take place from 5 to 8 November, marking a momentous tenth anniversary celebration of the event in its contemporary Baja format. Held under the distinguished patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, this edition assumes particular significance as it hosts the concluding rounds of both the FIA World Baja Cup and the FIA Middle East Baja Cup.
Building upon a motorsport legacy that traces its origins to the inaugural Dubai Rally of 1979, the event represents a compelling evolution of the Emirate’s enduring commitment to international sporting excellence. The competition will unite the world’s preeminent cross-country rally drivers and riders, whilst simultaneously hosting the penultimate round of the FIM Bajas World Cup and the final round of the FIM Asia Baja Continental Championship.
Organised by the Emirates Motorsports Organisation, the event will be headquartered at Dubai Festival City, with Festival Bay hosting the ceremonial start on 6 November and the finish celebrations on 8 November. Competitors will face two demanding desert stages in Al Qudra across Saturday and Sunday, each presenting a rigorous examination of speed, precision and navigational expertise.
The competition encompasses diverse categories including the FIA Ultimate, Challenger, SSV and Stock classifications, alongside motorcycle and quad riders pursuing FIM honours. The FIA Middle East Baja Cup finale assumes particular significance for competitors from the United Arab Emirates and the wider region, whilst FIM competitions will continue their respective championship trajectories.
Khalfan Juma Belhoul, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, emphasised Dubai’s distinguished standing as a host of world-class international sporting events. He observed that the Dubai International Baja represents one of 80 international sporting events taking place this season, further affirming Dubai’s pre-eminence as a destination for international motorsport. The accessibility of the ceremonial start and finish at Dubai Festival City ensures that residents and visitors can experience international-calibre desert racing within an easily accessible urban setting.
Khalid Ben Sulayem, President of the Emirates Motorsports Organisation, reflected upon the event’s development over the past decade since adopting the Baja format in 2016. He emphasised the organisation’s commitment to elevating sporting standards and providing opportunities for competitors from the UAE and the wider region to compete against the world’s most accomplished motorsport athletes. The Al Qudra stages will present a formidable examination where precision and strategic decision-making prove decisive.
The event has cultivated a distinct identity whilst honouring a motorsport heritage spanning nearly half a century. Previous editions have witnessed remarkable achievements by regional competitors, affirming the region’s growing prominence in international cross-country rallying.
Administrative procedures will commence on Thursday, 5 November, with the Prologue and ceremonial start scheduled for Friday, 6 November, and the final competitive stage and celebrations concluding on Sunday, 8 November.
Source: WAM