The stage is set for an Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge like no other, as the UAE prepares to host both professionals and amateurs from around the world. The best and the bravest are ready to tackle one of the most innovative and demanding courses in the rally’s 34-year history.
After the opening stage from Al Ain to Mezeer’ah, competitors will head to the bivouac at Al Qua’a, where an exciting new twist awaits: for the first time, both bikes and cars will take on a marathon stage.
The third and fourth stages will cross the challenging marathon camp, where competitors face the added pressure of no outside mechanical assistance or spare parts. Those who make it through will then race to the thrilling finale with a fifth stage that ends in dynamic Abu Dhabi.
With a focus on sustainability and the well-being of Al Dhafra’s people, all involved parties are committed to preserving the stunning environment of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge while respecting the traditions and identity of the region’s population.
Stretching from Al Ain to Mezeer’ah in the heart of the Liwa oasis, the opening stage is set to push competitors to their limits right from the start. As the race nears the gateway to the vast Rub’ Al Khali, the legendary Empty Quarter, and the birthplace of Abu Dhabi’s royal family, this stage could prove to be the toughest of the event.
From the lush green oasis of Al Ain, the route ventures into towering 300-meter-high dunes. Part of the world’s largest continuous sand desert, the Rub’ Al Khali is known for its extreme temperatures, soaring above 50°C in summer and dropping as low as 5°C in winter.
The Empty Quarter is both awe-inspiring and merciless—a true challenge for rally-raid participants. Its endless dunes have long drawn competitors, whether on two wheels or four, solidifying the Desert Challenge’s status as a prestigious event on the W2RC calendar.
After Mezeer’ah, the race heads toward the marathon camp at Al Qua’a, where stunning night skies and star-shaped dunes create a dramatic backdrop. Without outside assistance, competitors will be hoping for a smooth run to and from Al Qua’a, before returning to the Empty Quarter bivouac for full vehicle servicing.
Following the grueling third and fourth stages, and with the marathon bivouac rules in play, both drivers and their machines must be in top form for the final push toward the Arabian Gulf coast. Surrounded by ancient landscapes unchanged for millennia, racers will make their way back to the futuristic skyline of Abu Dhabi, offering a fitting backdrop for a rally that, much like the city itself, constantly evolves in pursuit of excellence.
Whether professional racers chasing W2RC points or amateurs seeking adventure in the infamous sands of the Empty Quarter, reaching the podium of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge will be a remarkable achievement.
Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in the Al Dhafra Region, the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge is supported by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and organized by the Emirates Motorsports Organization. Key partners include ADNOC Distribution as Energy Partner, the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, and other governmental bodies. Al Futtaim-Toyota serves as the Automotive Partner, with DHL as the Official Logistics Partner.
Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2025
The Prologue has been reimagined, with a fresh format that promises to be more spectator-friendly for the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2025. This year, the rally will make history by starting in Al Ain instead of its usual Abu Dhabi starting point, marking a first for the event.After the opening stage from Al Ain to Mezeer’ah, competitors will head to the bivouac at Al Qua’a, where an exciting new twist awaits: for the first time, both bikes and cars will take on a marathon stage.
The third and fourth stages will cross the challenging marathon camp, where competitors face the added pressure of no outside mechanical assistance or spare parts. Those who make it through will then race to the thrilling finale with a fifth stage that ends in dynamic Abu Dhabi.
With a focus on sustainability and the well-being of Al Dhafra’s people, all involved parties are committed to preserving the stunning environment of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge while respecting the traditions and identity of the region’s population.
Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2025: New Route
The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2025 kicks off in Al Ain, an inland oasis rich in history. The exact location for the Super Special Stage, set among Bronze Age ruins, will be revealed soon.Stretching from Al Ain to Mezeer’ah in the heart of the Liwa oasis, the opening stage is set to push competitors to their limits right from the start. As the race nears the gateway to the vast Rub’ Al Khali, the legendary Empty Quarter, and the birthplace of Abu Dhabi’s royal family, this stage could prove to be the toughest of the event.
From the lush green oasis of Al Ain, the route ventures into towering 300-meter-high dunes. Part of the world’s largest continuous sand desert, the Rub’ Al Khali is known for its extreme temperatures, soaring above 50°C in summer and dropping as low as 5°C in winter.
The Empty Quarter is both awe-inspiring and merciless—a true challenge for rally-raid participants. Its endless dunes have long drawn competitors, whether on two wheels or four, solidifying the Desert Challenge’s status as a prestigious event on the W2RC calendar.
After Mezeer’ah, the race heads toward the marathon camp at Al Qua’a, where stunning night skies and star-shaped dunes create a dramatic backdrop. Without outside assistance, competitors will be hoping for a smooth run to and from Al Qua’a, before returning to the Empty Quarter bivouac for full vehicle servicing.
Following the grueling third and fourth stages, and with the marathon bivouac rules in play, both drivers and their machines must be in top form for the final push toward the Arabian Gulf coast. Surrounded by ancient landscapes unchanged for millennia, racers will make their way back to the futuristic skyline of Abu Dhabi, offering a fitting backdrop for a rally that, much like the city itself, constantly evolves in pursuit of excellence.
Whether professional racers chasing W2RC points or amateurs seeking adventure in the infamous sands of the Empty Quarter, reaching the podium of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge will be a remarkable achievement.
Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in the Al Dhafra Region, the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge is supported by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and organized by the Emirates Motorsports Organization. Key partners include ADNOC Distribution as Energy Partner, the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, and other governmental bodies. Al Futtaim-Toyota serves as the Automotive Partner, with DHL as the Official Logistics Partner.