Entries are now open for the 2026 Qatar International Rally, set to take place from February 4th to 7th. This prestigious event will serve as the second round of the 2026 FIA Middle East Rally Championship (MERC), attracting top rally drivers from across the region and beyond. The Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) has announced a revised itinerary focused on optimizing both competitor experience and cost-effectiveness.
The rally, a cornerstone of motorsport in the Middle East, will feature a total route of 704.90km, with 225.16km designated as competitive stages. Lusail International Circuit will be the central hub for administrative checks and scrutineering throughout the event. The 2026 schedule incorporates both gravel and asphalt challenges, complementing the broader MERC calendar which includes rounds in Oman, Jordan, Cyprus, Saudi Arabia, and Lebanon.
Revised Itinerary for the 2026 Qatar International Rally
The QMMF has implemented changes to streamline the event and reduce expenses for participating teams. Administration checks will be held on February 3rd at Lusail International Circuit, followed by a reconnaissance opportunity for the opening super special stage. According to the QMMF, this condensed format aims to balance competitive intensity with logistical practicality.
A full day of reconnaissance on the gravel desert stages is scheduled for February 4th, concurrent with scrutineering at Lusail. Thursday, February 5th, will feature a one-hour practice session specifically for Rally2 cars on a new 5.56km stage at Al-Khor, which will also function as a qualifying stage to determine the starting order for Leg 1. A separate 90-minute shakedown session for non-Rally2 vehicles is also planned at the same location.
Stage Details and Competitive Format
The ceremonial start, a popular event with fans, will be held at Lusail on February 5th, leading directly into a super special stage at the same venue. Friday’s competition is structured around two loops of three gravel stages, including a return to the Lusail stage. The stages include modifications to familiar sections, like Umm Birka, Ras Laffan and Al-Thakira, to add new challenges for competitors.
Saturday, February 7th, consists of six additional special stages. The final stage will be the Al-Thakira, utilized as the event’s Power Stage, offering bonus points to the fastest crews. The rally will then conclude with a post-event press conference and a ceremonial finish, both scheduled for 6:00 PM and 6:30 PM, respectively. This event is the 46th iteration of the Qatar International Rally in the last 51 years.
The event leadership includes QMMF President Abdulrahman Al-Mannai as Chairman, with support from senior committee member Abdulrazaq Al-Kuwari and Executive Director Amro Al-Hamad. Portugal’s Pedro Almeida will again serve as the Clerk of the Course, alongside Deputy Rashid Al-Sulaiti, ensuring a smooth and safe rally execution.
Al-Hamad stated the QMMF team has been diligently working to craft a challenging route designed to thoroughly test the skills of all entrants in the FIA Middle East Rally Championship. The organization emphasizes the rally’s role in the continued growth and development of motorsport in Qatar and the broader region.
Looking ahead, the QMMF will continue to finalize logistical details and provide updated information to competitors. The final entry list, which is expected to showcase a strong field of regional and international talent, will be released after the registration deadline closes. Observers will be watching to see if defending champion Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah will participate and defend his title in the FIA MERC competition.
Further information, including entry forms and detailed regulations, is available on the QMMF website: https://qmmf.com/.
