Quick Summary
- Event week: (59th running)
- Spanish name: Mexican outlets such as Tribuna de México and Posta call it the “Baja Mil”
- Race start: Friday, Nov 13, 2026
- Start/finish: San José del Cabo, Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, on Avenida Centenario (SCORE, Oct 3, 2026)
- Course: A single loop, the first Baja 1000 run entirely in Baja California Sur. SCORE unveiled the official 964.66-mile course on Oct 3, 2026, with four checkpoints. See the course map
- Nearest airport: Los Cabos International (SJD), with nonstop flights from many US cities
- 2025 overall winners: Christopher Polvoorde / Bryce Menzies (#94 Ford Raptor Trophy Truck), 15:48:24 over 835.52 miles
- Watch live: SCORE Live Tracking, the SCORE App, SCORE TV and results.score-international.com
Event Details
| Series | Baja 1000 |
|---|---|
| Venue | Los Cabos – 2026 Baja 1000 Start/Finish |
What time does it start in the US?
| Session | Local time | ET | CT | MT | PT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifying | Tue, Nov 10, 8:00 AM | Tue 10:00 AM EST | Tue 9:00 AM CST | Tue 8:00 AM MST | Tue 7:00 AM PST |
| Motorcycle start | Fri, Nov 13, 1:00 AM | Fri 3:00 AM EST | Fri 2:00 AM CST | Fri 1:00 AM MST | Fri 12:00 AM PST |
| Car, truck and UTV start | Fri, Nov 13, 9:00 AM | Fri 11:00 AM EST | Fri 10:00 AM CST | Fri 9:00 AM MST | Fri 8:00 AM PST |
Converted from the organizer’s official local start times. Times can change at short notice, so check the official site on the day.
How can you watch it from the US?
- SCORE runs live GPS tracking of its races at score-international.com.
- SCORE has livestreamed past races on its website and YouTube channel. For the 2026 Baja 1000, SCORE says Method Race Wheels Qualifying (Tuesday, November 10, from 8 a.m. PT; closed to spectators) will be broadcast live across its digital platforms. As of October 4, 2026 it hasn’t announced a livestream of the race itself; we’ll add it here when it does.
Broadcast sources: SCORE International · SCORE: 2026 Baja 1000 course and qualifying (Oct 3, 2026). How to watch every race in Mexico →
Watch the highlights
Official videos from the series’ own YouTube channels. The player loads only when you press play.
2026 SCORE Baja 1000: Key Facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Event | 59th SCORE Baja 1000, the final round of the 2026 SCORE World Desert Championship |
| Dates | . The race starts Friday, Nov 13 |
| Start and finish | Avenida Centenario, San José del Cabo, Los Cabos, Baja California Sur (SCORE, Oct 3, 2026) |
| Course | A single loop of 964.66 miles for Pro classes (about 890 for Sportsman classes), unveiled by SCORE on Oct 3, 2026, with a 40-hour time limit |
| First time | The first Baja 1000 run entirely inside Baja California Sur |
| Checkpoints | El Centenario (race mile 213.60), Ejido Ley Federal No. 2 (405.39), Ejido Francisco Villa (604.07) and Santa Fe (781.49) |
| GPS course files | Posted by SCORE at about 6 p.m. on Oct 22, 2026 |
| Pre-running opens | Sat, Oct 24, 2026, from 8 a.m. |
| 2025 overall winners | Christopher Polvoorde and Bryce Menzies, #94 Ford Raptor Trophy Truck, 15:48:24 |
| Live tracking | SCORE Live Tracking, the SCORE app, SCORE TV and results.score-international.com |
What is the 2026 Baja 1000 schedule?
| Date (2026) | What happens |
|---|---|
| Sat, Oct 24 | Pre-running opens |
| Mon, Nov 9 | Registration (qualifying teams only) |
| Tue, Nov 10 | Method Race Wheels Qualifying from 8 a.m. Los Cabos time (closed to spectators, streamed live), and registration |
| Wed–Thu, Nov 11–12 | Registration, technical inspection and contingency |
| Fri, Nov 13 | Race start |
| Sun, Nov 15 | Awards |
SCORE has published the race start times: motorcycles start at 1 a.m. and cars, trucks and UTVs at 9 a.m. Los Cabos time (midnight and 8 a.m. PT) on Friday, Nov 13, from Avenida Centenario in San José del Cabo (SCORE, Oct 3, 2026 · SCORE – 59th Baja 1000 race-week times in Mountain Standard Time, Los Cabos local (Oct 8, 2026)). Tech inspection and contingency run Wednesday and Thursday, Nov 11–12, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Avenida Centenario. The awards are on Sunday, Nov 15, at noon; SCORE hasn’t named the venue yet (SCORE schedule, Sep 28, 2026).
Pre-running opens Saturday, Oct 24, at 8 a.m., and SCORE posts the race information and GPS course files at about 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct 22. SCORE’s Sep 28 event schedule confirms the Oct 24 date; an Aug 13 race preview had given Oct 31.
What is the 2026 Baja 1000 route?
SCORE unveiled the official course on Oct 3, 2026: a 964.66-mile loop for Pro classes (about 890 miles for Sportsman classes) that starts and finishes on Avenida Centenario in San José del Cabo, with a 40-hour time limit. See it on our 2026 Baja 1000 course map.
From Avenida Centenario the course drops into the San José Wash, then heads up the East Cape past Cabo Pulmo, La Ribera and Los Barriles, inland to San Juan de los Planes, and across Federal Highway 1 near San Pedro to El Centenario outside La Paz (checkpoint 1). It climbs Cerro del Mechudo, runs up the Sea of Cortez coast through San Evaristo, then crosses into Comondú to checkpoint 2. Racers go through San Javier and along Loreto’s Malecón (speed-limited to 37 mph), loop through San José de Comondú to checkpoint 3 at Ejido Francisco Villa, and turn south down the Pacific side past Estero Santo Domingo, Puerto Chale and checkpoint 4 at Santa Fe. The last leg passes north of Todos Santos and through Pescadero, then returns to the San José Wash for a final 15 miles to the finish.
| Checkpoint | Location | Race mile |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | El Centenario, near La Paz | 213.60 |
| 2 | Ejido Ley Federal No. 2, before the highway (Comondú) | 405.39 |
| 3 | Ejido Francisco Villa (Comondú) | 604.07 |
| 4 | Santa Fe (La Paz municipality) | 781.49 |
SCORE posts the GPS course files on its website at about 6 p.m. on Oct 22, 2026, and has not named spectator areas. Until it does, read our Baja 1000 spectator guide for SCORE safety rules. In an Aug 13 race preview SCORE also listed Ciudad Constitución, Puerto San Carlos and Cabo San Lucas; the Oct 3 course description does not name them.
Why is the Baja 1000 starting in Los Cabos in 2026?
After decades based in Ensenada, the Baja 1000 starts and finishes in Los Cabos for 2026. Trophy Trucks, Class 1 buggies, UTVs, motorcycles and quads will race one loop through the rugged interior of Baja California Sur. The move is good news for American fans: Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) has nonstop service from dozens of US cities, and there are resort towns to base yourself in.
See how the 2026 season has unfolded in Ensenada, where Luke McMillin won the Baja 500 overall in June.
How can you watch the Baja 1000 live?
| Tool | What you get |
|---|---|
| SCORE Live Tracking | GPS positions of every race vehicle (powered by TrackLeaders) |
| SCORE App | Tracking and news on your phone |
| SCORE TV | Live video and highlights, also on SCORE’s YouTube channel |
| SCORE Results | Live timing and results by class |
Heading out to watch in person? Read our Baja 1000 spectator guide first. SCORE asks spectators to stay at least 100 ft from the course.
Who has won the Baja 1000 recently?
| Year | Fastest car / truck | Fastest motorcycle |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Christopher Polvoorde / Bryce Menzies, Ford Raptor TT — 15:48:24 | Tyler Lynn / David Kamo / Carter Klein, Honda — 17:55:39 |
| 2024 | Luke McMillin / Rob MacCachren, Chevrolet TT — 15:54:37 | Justin Morgan / Tyler Lynn / Brandon Prieto / Ryan Surratt, Honda |
| 2023 | Bryce Menzies / Andy McMillin / Tavo Vildósola Jr., Ford Raptor TT — 22:35:33 | Juan Carlos Salvatierra / Shane Logan / Diego Llanos / Carter Klein / Corbin McPherson, KTM |
| 2022 | Luke McMillin / Rob MacCachren, Chevrolet TT — 16:37:46 | Justin Morgan / Mark Samuels / Kendall Norman, Honda |
| 2021 | Luke McMillin / Rob MacCachren, Chevrolet TT — 20:45:59 | Justin Morgan / Mark Samuels / Brandon Prieto / Kendall Norman, Honda |
| 2020 | Luke McMillin / Larry Roeseler, Ford TT — 19:10:25 | Justin Morgan / Mark Samuels / Justin Jones, Honda |
| 2019 | Alan & Aaron Ampudia, Ford Raptor TT — 16:10:36 | Justin Morgan / David Kamo / Max Eddy Jr. / Shane Esposito, Honda |
| 2018 | Cameron Steele / Pat Dean, Ford Raptor TT | Justin Morgan / Mark Samuels / Justin Jones, Honda — 16:23:26 |
| 2017 | Apdaly López / Juan C. López, Chevrolet TT — 19:53:36 | Francisco Arredondo / Shane Esposito / Justin Morgan / Max Eddy Jr. / Ty Davis, Honda |
| 2016 | Rob MacCachren / Jason Voss, Ford TT — 17:12:58 | Justin Jones / David Kamo / Mark Samuels / Daymon Stokie / Colton Udall, Honda |
The overall winner’s time is shown for the outright fastest vehicle. See every Baja 1000 winner since 1967 →
Trip facts: airport, getting there and where to stay
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Nearest airport | Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) |
| Airport to venue | About 8 mi (13 km) from San José del Cabo, where the start/finish is on Avenida Centenario (SCORE, Oct 3, 2026), and 23–30 mi from Cabo San Lucas. Flying to Los Cabos for the Baja 1000 + where to stay → |
| Getting around | Uber cannot pick up arriving passengers at SJD. Use a taxi, shuttle or pre-booked transfer; Uber can drop off for departures. Getting around Los Cabos → |
| Where we suggest staying | San José del Cabo for a walkable old town and a short airport run; Cabo San Lucas for nightlife and the marina. |
| Official tickets | score-international.com |
| Plan this trip | Build your race-weekend plan |
Facts are from our venue guide and trip guides, which list their sources. Last checked Oct 2, 2026. Where to stay is our recommendation. The same facts are open data: race travel dataset.
Plan Your Trip
- Flying to Los Cabos + where to stay for the Baja 1000
- Things to do in Los Cabos during race week
- Spectator guide: safety rules and live tracking
- Los Cabos start/finish: venue page
- Driving into Mexico for a race: permits and insurance
- Is it safe to attend a race in Mexico?
- Trackside packing list (incl. Mexico City GP bag rules)
- Trip cost calculator
- Which Mexican race should you go to?
- Mexico City GP vs Baja 1000: which race to attend
FAQ
Where does the 2026 Baja 1000 start?
In San José del Cabo, in the Los Cabos area of Baja California Sur, on Avenida Centenario, close to the Sea of Cortez (SCORE, Oct 3, 2026). It starts and finishes there on a single loop.
When does the 2026 Baja 1000 start?
The race starts Friday, Nov 13, 2026. Event week runs , with awards on Nov 15.
How long is the 2026 Baja 1000 course?
SCORE gives the 2026 course as 964.66 miles. SCORE unveiled the course on Oct 3, 2026; Sportsman classes run about 890 miles. See the course map. The 2025 course out of Ensenada was 835.52 miles for cars.
Where can I see the 2026 Baja 1000 course map?
SCORE posts the official 2026 course map, a one-page map presented by BFGoodrich, on its Course Map page. Our 2026 Baja 1000 course map plots the San José del Cabo start, the four checkpoints and the towns in SCORE’s Oct 3 course description. Race teams order SCORE’s BFGoodrich Map Book and GPS files through registration, which closes Nov 6.
How can I watch the Baja 1000 live?
Follow SCORE Live Tracking at score-international.com/liveTracking.php, the SCORE App, SCORE TV and live results at results.score-international.com.
Sources: SCORE International – 2026 announcement · SCORE – 2025 winners · SCORE – Live Tracking · SPEED SPORT · Cycle News · SCORE – 2026 schedule (PDF, June 30, 2026) · SCORE – Road to the 59th Baja 1000 (Aug 13, 2026) · SCORE – Official course to be unveiled Oct 3 (Oct 2026) · SCORE – Course and start times (Oct 3, 2026) · SCORE – Course Map, 2026 Baja 1000 (read Oct 22, 2026) · SCORE – 2026 Baja 1000 event schedule (PDF, Sep 28, 2026). Facts verified October 2026 (dates, start/finish, course, checkpoints and start times re-checked against SCORE October 20, 2026); course, checkpoints and race-week venues updated October 4, 2026; start times confirmed as Los Cabos local time October 9, 2026.
Cite this page: Race.mx, “2026 SCORE Baja 1000”, race.mx/eventos/score-baja-1000-2026/ (updated ).