The 2026 SCORE World Desert Championship schedule is out. The 53rd Season of SCORE International held be held in Baja California, Mexico for the 11th consecutive year and will include the SCORE Baja 1000, SCORE Baja 500, SCORE Baja 400, and SCORE San Felipe 250 in Mexico.
Four iconic events return in 2026 starting with the SCORE San Felipe 250 March 25-29, followed by the 58th SCORE Baja 500 June 3-7. The SCORE Baja 400 returns for its seventh time September 9-13 and the legendary SCORE Baja 1000, now in its 59th year, wraps it up.
2026 SCORE World Desert Championship Schedule
| 3/25-29 | (Rnd 1) San Felipe 250 |
| 6/3-7 | (Rnd 2) Baja 500 |
| 9/9-13 | (Rnd 3) Baja 400 |
| 11/9-15 | (Rnd 4) Baja 1000 |
Each race will be live streamed on score-international.com.
Here is more from SCORE International’s press release…
The 2026 SCORE World Desert Championship will be held exclusively on Baja California, marking the 11th consecutive year that Mexico will host all SCORE events, including the legendary SCORE Baja 1000, an off-road race known as “The Grandaddy of All Off-Road Races.”
Thus, SCORE International will celebrate its 53rd anniversary as the leading off-road racing organization today, with four official events, three with venues already confirmed, and the location for the BFGoodrich Tires 59th SCORE Baja 1000, scheduled from November 9 to 15, 2026, yet to be announced.
Throughout SCORE International’s history, racers from Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania and the Americas have participated, including celebrities from other motorsport disciplines such as F1, the Dakar Rally, NASCAR Series, IndyCar Series, Supercross, the World Rally Championship, Motocross and the NHRA Series.
As every year, hundreds of adventurers will strive not just once, but four times, to conquer the magical and mysterious terrains of Baja California, which feature deserts, mountains, beaches, and cities, creating a unique challenge for those seeking to cross the finish line within the organization founded by visionary off-road racer and promoter, the late Mickey Thompson.
SAN FELIPE, A PARADISE FULL OF WHOOPS
Round one of 2026 will be the King Shocks 39th SCORE San Felipe 250, from March 25 to 29. This is currently SCORE’s fastest race, with desert racers pushing the accelerator from the drop of the green flag, navigating hundreds of whoops, vast desert zones, and finishing with celebrations along the Malecon of San Felipe, one of Baja California’s youngest municipalities.
ENSENADA, A UNIQUE PACIFIC VENUE
Round two of the 2026 SCORE World Desert Championship will be the BFGoodrich Tires 58th SCORE Baja 500. Desert racers will face a diverse challenge spanning deserts, mountains, and beaches. This off-road race will take place from June 3 to 7 in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, a city known as “The Cinderella of the Pacific,” featuring tourist attractions such as the Valle de Guadalupe with its wide variety of wineries, La Bufadora, the Riviera de Ensenada Social, Cultural, and Civic Center, Hussongs Cantina, and the prominent boardwalk known as La Ventana al Mar, which features a giant Mexican flag.
From September 9 to 13, round three, the 7th SCORE Baja 400, is the youngest race currently in SCORE International’s calendar, with both start and finish in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. Recent winners include American Bryce Menzies (trucks and cars), and Justin Morgan and Tyler Lynn (bikes).
“THE GRANDADDY OF ALL OFF-ROAD RACES”
The world’s most important off-road race, the legendary and iconic SCORE Baja 1000, will take place from November 9 to 15, 2026, with the venue to be announced by SCORE International officials. This competition has drawn attention from former Indianapolis 500 winners Parnelli Jones, Rick Mears, and Alex Rossi, Oscar winner Paul Newman, and former Dakar Rally champions Toby Price, Marc Coma, Nasser Al-Attiyah, Cyril Despres, and Ricky Brabec.
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