Entries Open for 2026 Qatar International Rally
Entries are now officially open for the 2026 Qatar International Rally, scheduled to take place from February 4th–7th, 2026. The event will form the second round of the FIA Middle East Rally Championship (MERC) and will be organised by the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) in Lusail.
Revised Itinerary and Championship Context
The QMMF has revealed a refreshed itinerary and format for one of the most popular rounds on the MERC calendar. The regional series also features gravel events in Oman, Jordan, Cyprus and Saudi Arabia, alongside an asphalt rally in Lebanon.
The revised Qatar route covers 704.90km, with 225.16km run competitively against the clock.
Compact Format to Reduce Competitor Costs
To help minimise additional costs for competitors, the rally adopts a compact schedule. Administrative checks will be held on Tuesday, February 3rd, from 10:00hrs at Lusail International Circuit, including permitted reconnaissance of the opening super special stage. The pre-event press conference will take place later that day at 18:00hrs in the media centre.
Reconnaissance and Scrutineering
Competitors will be allowed a full day of reconnaissance of the gravel desert stages on Wednesday, February 4th, while scrutineering will run simultaneously from 09:00hrs at Lusail.
New Practice and Qualifying Format
Thursday, February 5th, features a demanding schedule, including a new one-hour practice session for Rally2 cars on a brand-new 5.56km Al-Khor stage from 08:15hrs, with a maximum of two passes.
This stage will also serve as the qualifying stage for Rally2 crews from 10:00hrs, determining the starting order for leg one. The slowest Rally2 competitor in qualifying will start first on the road on Friday.
Non-Rally2 crews will take part in a 90-minute shakedown on the same stage from 10:45hrs.
Ceremonial Start and Super Special Stage
The rally’s ceremonial start will take place at Lusail from 14:30hrs on Thursday, followed by a super special stage to conclude the day’s action.
Friday Action Features New Lejthaya Stage
Friday’s itinerary includes two loops of three gravel stages, plus a second pass through the Lusail stage. The morning loop begins at 08:30hrs and features:
- Lejthaya – 16.54km (new stage)
- Waab Al-Mashrab – 16.11km (revised)
- Al-Waab – 18.14km
Following a regroup and service in Lusail, the three stages are repeated in the afternoon from 12:40hrs.
Six-Stage Finale and Power Stage on Saturday
The rally concludes on Saturday, February 7th, with six further special stages. The day begins with a modified Umm Birka (22.98km) stage from 08:03hrs, followed by first passes through:
- Ras Laffan – 16.73km
- Al-Thakira – 15.28km (revised)
After service, the stages are repeated. The second pass through Al-Thakira will act as the Power Stage, awarding bonus points to the top five crews.
Event Officials and Organisation
The rally will be held under the chairmanship of QMMF President Abdulrahman Al-Mannai, alongside senior committee member Abdulrazaq Al-Kuwari and QMMF Executive Director Amro Al-Hamad.
Portugal’s Pedro Almeida returns as Clerk of the Course, assisted by deputy Rashid Al-Sulaiti.
QMMF Looks Ahead to 2026
“No sooner have we crowned our champions for 2025 and we are looking ahead to the first of our exciting international sporting events in 2026,” said Amro Al-Hamad.
“This is the 46th Qatar International Rally to be held in the last 51 years. It is one of the oldest motorsport events in the Middle East and continues to write its own chapter in the expanding history of the QMMF.”
Entries, Regulations and Deadlines
Supplementary regulations and full details are available at www.qmmf.com.
- First entry closing date: Wednesday, January 7th
- Final entry cut-off: Wednesday, January 21st
Generous Incentives for International and GCC Competitors
The QMMF has announced a series of generous concessions for competitors:
- International entrants: $6,000 shipping allowance
- GCC entrants: $3,000 shipping allowance
In addition, the QMMF will provide flight ticket allowances for both driver and co-driver, plus five nights’ accommodation (twin room with breakfast), subject to vehicles passing scrutineering and administrative checks.
Start Prizes for Early Entries
Start prizes will also be awarded to competitors who pass scrutineering and administrative checks:
- QR 2,500 for entries received before the first cut-off date
- QR 2,000 for entries submitted after the early cut-off and before January 21st
The 2026 Qatar International Rally promises a revised challenge, strong incentives for competitors, and another major milestone in the region’s rallying calendar.
