Qatar International Baja 2026: Schedule & Tickets

The Qatar International Baja 2026 at Lusail International Circuit takes place from 28 to 31 October 2026, bringing four days of cross-country rally action to the desert tracks of northern and central Qatar. The event is organised by the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation. If you're a motorsport fan planning your weekend, here's everything you need on the schedule, the stages, competitor entries and what we know so far about tickets.

This is one of the standout dates on Qatar's motorsport calendar — a genuine test of car and bike crews across hundreds of kilometres of Qatari terrain, with the hub of the action based at the Lusail International Circuit in Al Wusail.

Qatar International Baja 2026 at a glance

• Event: Qatar International Baja 2026 (cross-country rally)
• Dates: Wednesday 28 to Saturday 31 October 2026
• Base venue: Lusail International Circuit, Al Wusail, off the North Relief Road
• Format: Private testing, a prologue, then two selective stages
• Total competitive distance: roughly 548 km across the two selective sections, plus the prologue

When and where is Qatar International Baja 2026?

The Baja takes place from 28 to 31 October 2026, with the Lusail International Circuit serving as the administrative and ceremonial base. The circuit sits in Al Wusail, north of Doha, just off the North Relief Road, and is easy to reach whether you're coming from West Bay, Lusail, or the wider city.

While the circuit is the home base for scrutineering, briefings and the service park, the competitive stages run out into the open desert across northern and central Qatar — so the real drama unfolds well beyond the tarmac.

Full Qatar International Baja 2026 schedule

Here's how the four days break down for the 2026 edition.

Wednesday, 28 October — Private competitor testing

The event opens with private competitor testing. This is a closed-off day for teams to shake down their cars and bikes, dial in suspension and fuelling, and prepare for the timed running that follows. It's a working day for the crews rather than a spectator centrepiece.

Thursday, 29 October — Prologue

The competitive action begins with a 9.51-km prologue. This short, sharp special doesn't just count for time — it sets the starting order for the days that follow. In cross-country rallying, starting position matters enormously, as running first can mean fresh, undisturbed tracks or, in dusty conditions, clean air. Expect the fastest crews to push hard here.

Friday, 30 October — Stage 1 (selective section)

Friday is the marathon day: a 336.34-km selective section winding through northern and central Qatar. This is the longest competitive stage of the Baja and typically where the event is won or lost. Navigation, tyre management and consistency all come into play across such a long run, and mechanical reliability becomes just as important as outright speed.

Saturday, 31 October — Stage 2 and finish

The final day features a 202.10-km selective section, with an earlier finish than originally planned. It's a shorter but still demanding leg where the leaders defend their advantage and the chasers throw everything at it. Once the timing closes, the overall winners are confirmed and the podium celebrations follow.

Tickets for Qatar International Baja 2026

The current position on tickets is this: no confirmed public ticket price or ticket-sales details have been announced yet for the 2026 edition. We won't invent a figure — and cross-country rallies work differently from a circuit race, since much of the action happens out on desert stages rather than in a grandstand.

Our advice if you want to attend:

• Watch the official channels. Ticketing and public-access arrangements, if any, are announced through the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation event page closer to the date.
• Plan around the base venue. The service park and ceremonial moments at Lusail International Circuit are usually the most accessible points for fans to see the cars and bikes up close.
• Bookmark our listings. As details firm up, we'll keep you posted — save our Qatar events listings so you don't miss ticket news.

Entering as a competitor

If you're not a spectator but a driver or rider hoping to take part, the Baja is a serious international entry with formal deadlines and registration procedures.

Entry deadlines

• Entries opened: 2 September 2026
• First entry closure: 30 September 2026
• Final cut-off: 14 October 2026

As with most international rallies, entering earlier tends to be cheaper and smoother, so competitors are encouraged not to leave it to the final deadline.

Registration access codes and allowances

Competitors register through the relevant international body using the correct access code:

• FIA (car) registration code: FIAQIB26
• FIM (motorcycle) registration code: FIMQIB26

travel and logistics allowances are also available to help offset the cost of shipping vehicles and flying in crews:

• FIA-category GCC entrants: typically around US$2,500 shipping allowance and US$700 flight allowance.
• International (non-GCC) entrants: typically around US$5,000 shipping allowance and US$1,400 flight allowance.

These allowances make Qatar a comparatively accessible round for teams travelling from within the Gulf and beyond, which is part of why the Baja continues to draw a strong international field.

How to get to Lusail International Circuit

The Lusail International Circuit is in Al Wusail, north of central Doha, just off the North Relief Road. For most residents, the simplest option is to drive — the circuit is well signposted and roughly 20–30 minutes from West Bay depending on traffic. Ride-hailing and Karwa taxis are reliable alternatives if you'd rather not deal with parking.

If you're relying on public transport, the Doha Metro Red Line serves the Lusail area, and you can combine a Metro trip with a short taxi or Lusail Tram connection to get close to the circuit. Always check the latest Metro and tram timings before you set off, especially for late finishes.

Planning a bigger weekend around the Baja? Browse more things to do in Qatar so you can build a full itinerary around the rally.

FAQs

When is Qatar International Baja 2026?

The event runs from Wednesday 28 October to Saturday 31 October 2026, with private testing on the Wednesday, the prologue on Thursday, and the two main selective sections on Friday and Saturday.

Where does Qatar International Baja 2026 take place?

The base venue is the Lusail International Circuit in Al Wusail, just off the North Relief Road north of Doha. The competitive stages run out into the desert across northern and central Qatar.

How much are tickets for Qatar International Baja 2026?

No confirmed public ticket price has been announced yet. Ticketing and public-access details, if any, are released through the official Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation event channels closer to the event — and we'll update Qatar Living as soon as they're confirmed.

How long are the Qatar International Baja 2026 stages?

The prologue is 9.51 km, Friday's selective section is 336.34 km, and Saturday's selective section is 202.10 km, giving roughly 548 km of competitive distance across the two main stages.

How do competitors enter Qatar International Baja 2026?

Entries opened on 2 September 2026, with a first closure on 30 September and a final cut-off on 14 October. Car crews register via FIA using code FIAQIB26 and motorcycle crews via FIM using code FIMQIB26.

How do I get to Lusail International Circuit?

Driving is easiest — it's around 20–30 minutes from West Bay via the North Relief Road. You can also use Karwa taxis, ride-hailing apps, or combine the Doha Metro Red Line with a short taxi or Lusail Tram connection.

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