LUSAIL, QATAR – The Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) has published Rally Guide 1 and revealed the first details of this year’s Qatar International Baja.
The Lusail-based event runs on October 28th-31st and is the penultimate round of both the FIA World Baja Cup and the FIA Middle East Baja Cup, as well as round six of the FIM Bajas World Cup.
Renowned in cross-country circles as one of the toughest Bajas on both the FIA and FIM calendars, this year’s event will be no different, with several changes and improvements over last autumn’s edition. It runs under the chairmanship of QMMF President Abdulrahman Al-Mannai, with QMMF Executive Director Amro Al-Hamad and General Secretary Abdulrazaq Al-Kuwari.
A private test for the first time
Clerk of the Course Pedro Almeida and the QMMF team have worked hard to refine the Baja. For the first time, the 2026 edition includes a private test on Wednesday, October 28th, allowing competitors to make last-minute set-up changes and preventing the uncontrolled use of other desert tracks.
18.4% more competitive kilometres
The 2026 route is longer, with 18.4% more competitive distance. Riders and drivers will race 538.44km against the clock in a total route of 940.28km.
- Thursday, October 29th – Prologue: 9.51km, setting the start order for the next morning
- Friday, October 30th – Selective section 1: 336.34km through the deserts of northern and central Qatar
- Saturday, October 31st – Selective section 2: 202.10km through southern Qatar, including the Sealine dunes
Friday’s 336.34km leg will be the longest selective section in the entire FIA World Baja Cup and comparable to stages in the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) for difficulty and variety.
Saturday’s section has been shortened by 13.7% to 202.10km so the Baja can finish earlier. It crosses the unique landscapes of southern Qatar and includes a run through the demanding dunes of the Sealine area in the south-east of the country.
Administrative checks, scrutineering, the ceremonial start and finish, and all servicing will take place inside the Lusail International Circuit, for convenience and to reduce the event’s environmental impact.
Entries and key dates
- Entries open and Supplementary Regulations published: Wednesday, September 2nd
- First entry closure: Wednesday, September 30th
- Final entry deadline: Wednesday, October 14th
Shipping, travel and start money support
Full details will be in the regulations, but the QMMF has already confirmed generous support for competitors:
- FIA shipping allowance: $2,500 for GCC entrants, $5,000 for international entrants
- FIA flight allowance: $700 per GCC crew, $1,400 for overseas competitors
- FIM shipping allowance: $1,250 (GCC) and $2,500 (international)
- FIM flight allowance: $350 or $700
- Accommodation: five nights in a twin room with breakfast for FIA and FIM competitors
- Start money: 4,000 QAR (2,000 QAR FIM) for entries before the first cut-off; 3,000 QAR (1,500 QAR FIM) after that until the closing date
Free shipping link to the Dubai International Baja
The QMMF has also worked with the EMSO, organisers of the Dubai International Baja, and logistics company DSV to offer free consolidated shipping, on a first-come, first-served basis, to competitors entered in both events. One closed box truck and one open car transporter will collect equipment from the Qatar service park and deliver it by road, on a three-day transit, to the Dubai International Baja.
Qatar International Baja 2026: key facts
- Dates: October 28th-31st, 2026
- Base: Lusail International Circuit
- Championships: FIA World Baja Cup (round 7), FIA Middle East Baja Cup (round 3), FIM Bajas World Cup (round 6)
- Competitive distance: 538.44km
- Total route: 940.28km
- Prologue: 9.51km