Muscat: The first-ever Oman International Baja will be the top attraction at the Bidiyah Sands Carnival 2026 which brings together motorsport, tourism and entertainment in the heart of Al Sharqiyah North Governorate.
The one-month long carnival will be held at the Wilayat of Bidiyah in Al Sharqiyah North Governorate from November 19 to December 19 this year.
The event will be organised by the Oman Automobile Association (OAA) under the umbrella of the International Automobile Federation (FIA), ensuring the implementation of internationally recognised organisational, technical and safety standards. The championship represents a strategic step towards strengthening Oman’s presence on the global motorsport map and paving the way for the future hosting of a round of the FIA Baja World Cup.
Baja rallying is one of the most prominent forms of cross-country desert rallying, with competitors taking on a variety of terrain including sand dunes, open desert tracks, wadis and natural routes. The event will feature several categories of vehicles, including four-wheel-drive cars, motorcycles, quad bikes and SSVs.
OAA Managing Director Suleiman al Rawahi said the carnival would be an important step in OAA’s vision to hold events that go beyond motorsports.
“The Bidiyah Sands Carnival represents an important step in our vision to create events that go beyond motorsport and deliver a complete experience combining sport, tourism, entertainment, culture and community engagement. By bringing this month-long event to one of Oman’s most remarkable desert destinations, we aim to showcase the unique potential of Bidiyah and the Rimal Al Sharqiya while generating wider opportunities for tourism, hospitality, local communities and SMEs”, Al Rawahi said.
“This year is particularly significant with the introduction of the Oman International Baja, taking place for the first time in Oman. It marks a new chapter for motorsport in the country and provides an international platform to demonstrate Oman’s exceptional natural terrain and its capability to host world-class desert motorsport events. Our ambition is for the Bidiyah Sands Carnival and Oman International Baja to grow into a sustainable annual platform that strengthens Oman’s position on the international sporting and tourism map”.
Carnival Events Manager Wadhah al Harthi said: “The Bidiyah Sands Carnival has been designed to offer visitors a different experience throughout the month, with a diverse programme combining motorsport, entertainment, live performances, camping experiences, equestrian shows, family activities and opportunities for local SMEs”.
“At the heart of the carnival is the Oman International Baja, one of the most important milestones of this year’s carnival. Delivering an international desert rally of this scale requires extensive planning, coordination and operational readiness across multiple teams and stakeholders. Our focus is to create a well-organised and memorable experience for competitors, visitors and families, while showcasing Bidiyah as an outstanding destination for major sporting and entertainment events”.
UNIQUE DESERT LANDSCAPE
The carnival will be a comprehensive national event bringing together motorsport, sports, entertainment and cultural activities, while making use of the unique desert landscape for which the wilayat is renowned.
Based on estimated participation figures, the carnival is expected to attract more than 150 participants representing over 20 countries, in addition to more than 150 media representatives, over 200 volunteers and more than 300 organisers and operational staff.
The event aims to further strengthen Bidiyah’s position as one of the Sultanate of Oman’s leading destinations for desert tourism and adventure experiences.
The carnival is being organised as part of a broader vision to establish it as an annual event on Bidiyah’s calendar, contributing to sustainable tourism, stimulating economic activity and supporting small and medium enterprises as well as sectors related to tourism, hospitality and services. It also aims to attract visitors from across the Sultanate of Oman and abroad, while showcasing the wilayat’s natural and tourism assets at both regional and international levels.
BIDIYAH SANDS CHALLENGE RACE
The programme will also feature the Bidiyah Sands Challenge, an obstacle race that makes use of the area’s natural terrain and sand dunes. The challenge will include a 5-kilometre adult course with categories for professional athletes, amateurs and corporate teams, in addition to a 500-metre children’s race.
The carnival will also feature a fully integrated Event Village, including spectator areas, sponsor activation zones, live broadcast screens, a dedicated area for small and medium enterprises, as well as interactive zones and desert experiences. This will provide visitors with a complete experience extending beyond sporting competition to entertainment, shopping and community engagement.
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