Calendar

Organized for the first time in 1979, originally from Paris to the Senegalese capital, then in South America from 2009, and since the 2020 edition in Saudi Arabia, the Dakar is an iconic event which severely challenges the abilities of its competitors.

Biggest rally raid in the world, the Dakar Rally is traditionally the first round of the FIA-FIM World Rally Raid Championship since its creation in 2022. A competition of extremes and an orienteering race, the Dakar brings together the leading rally raid riders and drivers, as well as amateur competitors who come to experience an adventure and face an exceptional challenge, sometimes the challenge of a lifetime.

The Red Sea port city of Yanbu has been picked to host the start and the finish of the 2026 edition (3 – 17 January), following a loop route of around 8,000 kilometres, including 5,000 kilometres of timed sections. The challenge remains as tough as ever, with the introduction of two marathon-refuge stages, during which only competitor-to-competitor assistance will be allowed.

The Dakar is an important event for the protagonists of the FIA-FIM World Rally Raid Championship as it is the only marathon event of the 2026 calendar. Competitors will give their best on the Saudi tracks since the Dakar allows them to score decisive points as they seek out their W2RC titles!

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After a year off the W2RC calendar, the Desafío Ruta 40, first held in 2010, will celebrate its 13th edition from May 24 to 29, 2026. Since its inception, this race has travelled through both the south and north of Argentina, competing in various provinces of the country.

The Desafío Ruta 40 has the DNA of the historic years of the Dakar Rally in South America. Featuring stunning natural landscapes and challenging stages thanks to the wide variety of terrains that Argentina offers: off-roads, dry rivers, dunes of different sizes, salt flats... The DR40 has everything, and that's why it has become such an attractive adventure for competitors from all over the world.

Among the long list of competitors who have won the Desafío Ruta 40 are: Paulo Gonçalves, Kevin Benavides (bikes), Sergio Lafuente, Daniel Mazzucco, Manu Andujar (quads), Nani Roma, Orly Terranova, Yazeed Al Rajhi, Nasser Al Attiyah (cars), among many others.

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The bp Ultimate Rally Raid Portugal has become, since its creation in 2024, an unmissable event on the FIA-FIM World Rally-Raid Championship. Fourth round of the 2025 championship, held last September, the event will now take place in March 2026, just after the Dakar Rally.

A true European showcase for the W2RC, the rally, organised by the Automóvel Club de Portugal (ACP), will offer competitors a unique playground on the tracks of the Iberian Peninsula at the dawn of spring, from 17 to 22 March 2026.

The 2026 edition of the bp Ultimate Rally Raid Portugal will feature a host of new elements compared to previous years, fuelled by the enthusiasm of the fans, always numerous and passionate, who come to support the crews at the bivouac and along the route.

 of this event !

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W2RC Roll of honour

The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, one of the world’s oldest international cross-country rallies, organized by Emirates Motorsports Organization (EMSO), was founded in 1991 by Emirati motorsport legend and current FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

The event rapidly gained global fame with all the biggest names in international motorsport attempting to conquer the dunes of the UAE’s unforgiving Rub’Al Khali Desert, also named Empty Quarter, the world’s largest sand ocean.

35 years in, and thanks to support of its local partners, the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge respects the highest safety and organizational standards, where participants can benefit from Abu Dhabi’s world-class infrastructure. Today, the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge is considered by competitors to be one of the most technical races on the calendar.

Traditionally held in February following the Dakar, the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge will close the 2026 W2RC season. The Emirati round will serve as the FIA-FIM World Rally-Raid Championship finale for the very first time from November 22 to 27, 2026.

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W2RC Roll of honour

Part of the FIA-FIM World Rally-Raid Championship since its creation in 2022, Morocco, motherland of rally-raid, and unmissable rendezvous with Africa, will once again host the W2RC from September 28 to October 3, 2026. Final round between 2022 and 2025, the Rallye du Maroc will now kick off the final sprint of the 2026 championship, marking the transition to its decisive stage.

Morocco offers a vast playground for rally raid, with dirt tracks, sand, stones and dunes providing endless possibilities. It is also a sprawling desert filled with navigational challenges.

The ‘nature bivouacs’, set up in the heart of the desert, offer teams a truly unique experience in a spectacular and authentic setting.

The best drivers and manufacturers, joined by numerous amators, traditionnaly take part in the event. The Rallye du Maroc remains one of the last major gatherings before the Dakar Rally.

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W2RC Roll of honour