Thrilling Dakar Rally 2025 is racing into Saudi Arabia

The route runs through AlUla, Riyadh, Jeddah, Hail and Yanbu.

Saudi Arabia, start your engines. Dakar Rally is back in the Kingdom, taking place on Sunday, 18 May 2025. The thrilling race goes through the country, from west to east and back again. If you want to watch the fun, here’s what you need to know.

Dakar Rally 2025 consists of both on- and off-road racing across 5,000 kilometres. Based on the 2024 edition, the route should start in AlUla and make its way through Saudi Arabia. Previous locations included Riyadh, Jeddah, Hail and it ends in Yanbu, which is on the shores of the Red Sea. David Castera, Race Director, explained: “The challenge will be just as daunting as last January.” 

This year, the AlUla start camp was extended into the desert, and the bivouac was located near the Nabataean temples, offering a spectacular start to the race. The 2024 edition also had new race tracks and a new 48-hour challenge took place in the Empty Quarter. Sixty per cent of the route consisted of new tracks, and there were nine bivouacs across the route. During the 48-hour challenge, there were no repair companions but drivers were permitted to help each other. Plus, it included a course for motorbikes and quads, and another for cars and trucks. 

The Dakar Rally first started in Saudi Arabia in 2020. It has gained international recognition for using sustainable fuel and green vehicles. The race welcomed a female Saudi Arabian driver, Mashael Al Obaidan, for the first time in 2022. Last year, it featured more than 1,000 racers. The Dakar Rally 2025 will be the sixth edition of the race in Saudi and is expected to take between 10 to 15 days.

Strap in, it’s going to an electrifying ride.

GO: Visit www.dakar.com for more information.