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Motorcyclist riding through a sand dune at the Abu Dhabi Baja Challenge (archive picture)

Abu Dhabi Baja Challenge 2026–2027: 71 Motorcycles Entered for Opener, Four Rounds Until April

Published by Thomas Menzel on 25. October 2026

With 71 motorcycle riders entered, the Abu Dhabi Baja Challenge has begun its fourth season. The first of four rounds was scheduled for Saturday, 17 October 2026, in Tilal Sweihan. According to the advance release from the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) of 15 October 2026, the entry list contained a total of 113 participants and teams from 23 nations. No official result for the opening round had been published by 21 October 2026.

Entry list: motorcycles make up the largest field

Alongside the 71 motorcycles, the ADSC named 13 quads, 9 cars and 20 buggies. The figures refer to the entry list before the start. The sources consulted do not show how many riders actually started and how many finished. The organiser itself pointed out that all vehicles must pass technical scrutineering before the start and that the final classifications will only be confirmed afterwards in accordance with the regulations.

Among the motorcycle riders entered, the ADSC highlighted the Emiratis Mohammed Al Balooshi, Hamdan Al Ali and Khalifa Al Rumaithi. According to the release, women were also entered in the motorcycle, car and buggy categories. Gulf News reported the same figures on 16 October 2026.

Buggy throws up a large plume of sand while driving over a sand dune
A buggy in the dunes: the ADSC published this picture with its preview of the season opener. It does not show the round of 17 October 2026, and the date it was taken is not given. Photo: Abu Dhabi Sports Council, photographer not named / adsc.gov.ae

Seven motorcycle classes

According to the ADSC, the motorcycles are classified in the classes 450cc, Over 450cc, Marathon, Adventure, Veterans, Youth and Women, among others. Gulf News calls the youth class “Junior”. The exact conditions of the fourth season are governed by the sporting and technical regulations, which the organiser links on its official website. This document was not reviewed for this article.

The announcement of the second season of 3 October 2024, which is still on the series website, helps to put this in context. At that time, the Adventure class was open to motorcycles of 650 cubic centimetres and above, and Veterans were riders over 45. The junior classification applied to 16- to 18-year-olds, and 250cc two-strokes were also allowed to start in the Over 450cc class. Whether these rules still apply for 2026–2027 has not been confirmed.

Format: laps of around 25 kilometres

The Baja Challenge is a series of short desert races, run on a circuit through the dunes. According to the ADSC season announcement of 18 August 2026, each round covers more than 100 kilometres, divided into laps of around 25 kilometres. According to the organiser, the fastest are expected to take about two hours. Round winners receive prize money; the ADSC does not state the amount. Professionals and amateurs are eligible to enter. The series is organised by the ADSC together with the Emirates Motorsports Organization (EMSO), the national motorsport federation of the United Arab Emirates.

EMSO Managing Director Maher Al Badri described the series in the announcement as an “essential platform” for preparing riders for starts at regional and international events (translated from English). According to the ADSC, the third season recorded more than 380 entries across four rounds, with participants from over 20 nations.

Motorcycle rider with number 29 riding a KTM through a sand dune
Archive picture: a motorcycle rider in the first season of the Abu Dhabi Baja Challenge, taken on 17 December 2023 according to the file name. Photo: Abu Dhabi Baja Challenge, photographer not named / abudhabibajachallenge.com

Calendar 2026–2027

According to the ADSC announcement of 18 August 2026, which was also published by the Abu Dhabi Media Office, the following rounds are planned:

  • Round 1: Saturday, 17 October 2026, Tilal Sweihan
  • Round 2: Saturday and Sunday, 12 and 13 December 2026, Liwa (Al Dhafra region)
  • Round 3: Saturday, 23 January 2027, Liwa
  • Round 4: Saturday, 10 April 2027, desert near Al Ain

The dates come from the announcement made before the start of the season. Later changes are possible.

Results of the opener still outstanding

An organiser’s report on the course of the round in Tilal Sweihan, or an official results list, could not be found on the pages of the ADSC and the series that were consulted by 21 October 2026. The guide from the tyre retailer PitStopArabia of 19 October 2026 also states that it had no verified final result. The winners and class results of the first round therefore remain open for the time being.

Sources and image credits

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