MUSCAT, OMAN – Oman will have to wait a little longer for its first international Baja. The Oman Automobile Association (OAA) announced on 16 March that the inaugural Oman International Baja, due to run in Bidiyah on 26–28 March, has been postponed to 17–19 December 2026.
The decision follows the escalation of the war in the region, which has already disrupted the international sporting calendar across the Gulf, from Formula 1 and MotoGP to the all-women Rally Jameel in Saudi Arabia.
What was planned
The March edition had been set to start with a 12.76km prologue at Al-Wasil, followed by desert stages of 240.90km and 168.45km across Bidiyah and Al-Qabil in the Sharqiya Sands. It was also meant to serve as Oman’s trial run towards a slot in the FIA Middle East Baja Cup.
That ambition stays intact: the December date keeps the event’s status as an FIA candidate, now looking towards the 2027 FIA World and Middle East Baja Cups, with cars, motorcycles and quads all expected.
Photo: BISER3A archive
Sources: 131 Offroad, NDP Publicity, Oman Observer, Oman Automobile Association