Riyadh: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will host the Dakar Rally 2026 on January 3, for the seventh consecutive year, as the opening round of the FIA-FIM World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC), featuring broad participation that reflects the Kingdom's growing status as a global destination for motorsports. According to Saudi Press Agency, the rally will feature around 433 vehicles, with approximately 812 competitors representing 69 nationalities, following a new route starting from the Red Sea coast and spanning diverse terrains across the Kingdom - from sand dunes and open deserts to mountain heights, vast plains, and coastal areas - presenting varied challenges that test the highest levels of readiness and endurance. This year's edition of Dakar Classic will feature 97 historic vehicles, including 75 cars and 22 trucks from the 1980s and 1990s up to 2005, with 211 competitors from 26 nationalities, including 18 women. The new 4,292-kilometre route will focus on consistency and endurance rather than speed. The new Dakar 2026 route presents challenges in line with the rally's rich heritage, with each region offering its own pace and technical demands, rewarding competitors who can adapt and maintain focus over two weeks of grueling competition. It reflects the enduring spirit of Dakar and Saudi Arabia's growing role as a host for the world's toughest and most renowned rallies.