Baja 1000, iconic off-road race, shifting start line to Baja California Sur for 2026 event

ENSENADA, Mexico — In a move that alters a longtime tradition, the legendary Baja 1000 off-road race will not start and finish in Ensenada in 2026, instead moving its main event south for a special edition in the tourist destination of San José del Cabo.

Race organizer SCORE International announced Monday that it has signed a deal with the municipal government of Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, to host the iconic point-to-point desert race. The shift means Ensenada, which has billed itself as the “Off-Road Capital of the World,” will temporarily cede its flagship role after hosting the race’s start and finish for decades.

SCORE officials emphasized that the change is not a permanent departure from Baja California. The organization stated that rotating the race's location along the Baja California peninsula is part of its tradition, allowing different communities to host the international spectacle.

The upcoming 58th edition of the Baja 1000, set for later this year, will still run its traditional course from Ensenada. Furthermore, Baja California will remain the primary hub for SCORE’s World Desert Championship. The 2025 schedule features four races in the state: the San Felipe 250, Baja 500, Baja 400, and Baja 1000. The 2026 calendar will include three Baja California-based events—the San Felipe 250, Baja 500, and Baja 400—while the marquee Baja 1000 will be based out of San José del Cabo.

In a statement, SCORE International acknowledged the support of the Baja California state government, including its Secretary of Tourism, and the city governments of Ensenada, San Felipe, and San Quintín. The organization expressed continued confidence in the region’s ability to host world-class events, citing its tourist appeal and the hospitality of its residents.

Zaida Luz López, Baja California’s Secretary of Tourism, credited the “close and coordinated work” with SCORE, under the leadership of Gov. Marina del Pilar Avila Olmeda, for helping attract such events. She said the tourism agency will continue to work to solidify sports tourism and off-road racing as a key driver for the state’s international profile and a way to diversify its tourist offerings.

The relocation is expected to trigger a major logistical move for the top racing teams, who will begin setting up operations in San José del Cabo by mid-2026.