Mushrif National Park will serve as the opening venue for the 10th Dubai International Baja on Friday, 6 November, marking the first time the rally’s Prologue Stage has been held at the park. Cars, motorcycles and quads from an international field will compete across two sessions in front of spectators, with entry free of charge.
The morning session runs from 10:00 to 11:30, with competition pausing for Friday prayers before resuming from 13:30 to 16:30. Designated viewing areas will be set up within the park, with access and parking details to be published ahead of the event.
The rally, held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and organised by the Emirates Motorsports Organization (EMSO), runs from November 5 to 8. It draws competitors from three championships: the FIA World Baja Cup, the FIA Middle East Baja Cup and the FIM Bajas World Cup. Dubai hosts the final round of both FIA Baja championships, meaning season titles remain to be settled on the desert stages.
“Hosting the Dubai International Baja Prologue at Mushrif Park reflects our commitment to expanding the range of experiences offered across Dubai’s public destinations. As one of the city’s prominent outdoor recreational destinations, Mushrif Park provides a distinctive setting for an international motorsport event, offering residents and visitors a new way to experience the park. Our collaboration with the Emirates Motorsports Organization demonstrates how partnerships can enhance the role of public spaces in hosting major sporting and community events. By introducing new activities and experiences, we aim to strengthen the appeal of Dubai’s parks, encourage greater community participation and maximise their value for residents and visitors. This supports our broader vision of making Dubai a more attractive and liveable city through public spaces and recreational facilities that enhance quality of life and community wellbeing. We look forward to welcoming the Dubai International Baja Prologue on Friday, 6 November, when international competitors in cars, motorcycles and quads will bring a new sporting experience to Mushrif Park, further strengthening its position as a destination for outdoor recreation and international events,” Bader Anwahi, CEO of the Public Facilities Agency at Dubai Municipality said in a statement.
“One of our ambitions for the Dubai International Baja is to create more opportunities for people to experience international motorsport first-hand, and bringing the Prologue to Mushrif Park is an important step in that direction. Instead of asking spectators to travel deep into the desert to see the first competitive action, we are bringing the competition closer to the city. This gives people a chance to see the cars, motorcycles and quads up close, hear the roar of the engines, watch the competitors in action and discover what makes rally raid such an exciting sport. We are particularly grateful to Dubai Municipality for embracing the idea and working closely with us to make the new venue possible. Mushrif Park offers a distinctive setting for the Prologue, allowing us to bring the sport closer to the community in a carefully managed environment,” Khalid Ben Sulayem, President of the Emirates Motorsports Organization added.
After the Prologue, attention shifts to Festival Bay at Dubai Festival City Mall, where a Ceremonial Start is open to the public from 20:00, with the official ceremony beginning at 20:30. Admission is free.
The main desert stages follow on Saturday and Sunday in Al Qudra, with Dubai Festival City Mall serving as the rally’s central hub throughout.
