Round 1: January 22–24, 2026
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
MUSCAT (OMAN): The 2026 FIA Middle East Rally Championship (MERC) will begin in spectacular fashion with the Oman International Rally, returning as the opening round of the series for a second consecutive year. The event will take place from January 22–24, 2026, with the rally once again based at the Sohar Entertainment Center (SEC) in North Al Batinah.
Organised by the Oman Automobile Association (OAA), in cooperation with the Office of the Governor of North Al Batinah, the rally continues to build on the success of its modern Sohar-based format while preserving its reputation as one of the region’s most demanding and historic gravel rallies.
EVENT OVERVIEW
Entries are now open for the rally, which will feature 13 competitive special stages covering a total of 215.44 kilometres within an overall route of 659.72 kilometres (subject to FIA confirmation). Competitors will tackle Oman’s trademark fast, flowing gravel stages set against the dramatic mountain landscapes of the northern region.
The event is organised under the chairmanship of Brigadier Jamal Said Al-Tai, with vice-chairman Suleiman Al-Rawahi, Rally Director Anwar Al-Zadjali, and Clerk of the Course Hani Shaban. The rally benefits from invaluable support from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, the Sohar Governorate Office, and Toyota Oman.
ADMINISTRATION, SCRUTINEERING AND SHAKEDOWN
Administration checks will take place at the Sohar Entertainment Center on Tuesday, January 20, with crews permitted to carry out their first day of reconnaissance. Scrutineering will be held on Wednesday, January 21, from 17:00 to 22:00 at the Royal Oman Police (ROP) Inspection Center in Sohar, alongside a full day of reconnaissance.
Final preparations will continue on Thursday morning, January 22, with a 5.5km shakedown stage near the expressway starting at 09:00. This will be followed by the competitors’ press conference at 14:30 at the Omnia Pavilion within the Sohar Entertainment Center.
CEREMONIAL START AND OPENING STAGE
The ceremonial start of the rally will take place at 15:00 on Thursday, January 22, at the Sohar Entertainment Center. The opening competitive test, the 2.52km Sohar Super Special Stage (SS1), will run adjacent to the service park, with the first competing car scheduled to start at 16:00.
Roads for the Super Special Stage will be closed from 14:00 until 18:30. After SS1, cars will return to the service park before entering parc fermé, concluding Section 1 of the rally.
DAY TWO – FRIDAY, JANUARY 23
Day two begins with the first car leaving parc fermé at 08:00. Crews will contest two passes through three classic gravel stages:
SS2 & SS5 – Al Russays–Dabaayn (15.42km)
SS3 & SS6 – Al Rassah–Al Arjaa (19.15km)
SS4 & SS7 – Al Uwaynah–Wadi Al Jizzi (13.97km)
Following a mid-day regroup and service at the Sohar Entertainment Center, the stages will be repeated in the afternoon. Day two concludes at 15:45 at the service park in Sohar.
DAY THREE – SATURDAY, JANUARY 24
The final day of competition starts at 07:30 with crews leaving parc fermé for two further loops of three stages:
SS8 & SS11 – Al Akak–Yanboa (25.25km)
SS9 & SS12 – Yanboa–Wadi Al Jizzi (13.81km)
SS10 & SS13 – Rahab–Maleehah (18.86km)
The second pass through Rahab will serve as the event’s Power Stage, awarding additional championship points to the fastest five drivers. The rally will finish at 16:58, followed by the ceremonial finish and prize-giving ceremony at 18:30 inside the Sohar Entertainment Center.
SERVICE PARK, REFUELLING AND HEADQUARTERS
The service park, rally headquarters, and media center will all be centrally located at the Sohar Entertainment Center. The main refuelling zone will operate at the entrance to the Sohar Entertainment Center from Thursday, January 22, to Saturday, January 25, with additional refuelling zones at Al Rassah on Friday and Al Jizzi Dam Road on Saturday.
A RALLY RICH IN HISTORY
First run in 1979, the Oman International Rally is one of the oldest rallies in the Middle East. It became part of the inaugural MERC season in 1984 and has since played a key role in the region’s motorsport heritage. Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah holds the record for the most victories, with eight wins, while local driver Abdullah Al-Rawahi has claimed victory twice in the last five years.
ENTRY INFORMATION
Entries close on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.
