Baja 1000 2026 in Los Cabos: race week schedule, route and where to watch, November 9 to 15
The Baja 1000 2026 schedule, the 965-mile route through Baja California Sur, safe places to watch in San José del Cabo and what traffic to expect.
In this guide
- Baja 1000 2026 race week at a glance
- What makes the 2026 Baja 1000 different?
- The Baja 1000 route 2026: 965 miles through four municipalities
- Can you watch Baja 1000 qualifying?
- Tech inspection and contingency, November 11 and 12
- What time does the Baja 1000 start on November 13?
- Where is the finish line and spectator zone?
- Where to watch the Baja 1000 safely: SCORE's spectator rules
- Traffic and road closures during Baja 1000 week
- The awards on Sunday, November 15
- A calm day on the water during race week
The Baja 1000 2026 runs November 9 to 15 in Los Cabos, and for the first time in its 59 editions it starts and finishes in San José del Cabo. The race starts on Friday, November 13, on a single loop of about 965 miles (1,553 km) that never leaves Baja California Sur. Awards are Sunday, November 15.
The dates come from the SCORE International announcement and from the Baja California Sur tourism calendar. The route was presented in San José on October 3, as reported by Península Digital and Tribuna de México. Anything that isn't confirmed yet is flagged below.
Baja 1000 2026 race week at a glance
| Date | Event | Where | What it is |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 24 or 31 | Pre-running opens | Sections of the course | Teams scout the route; sources disagree on the date |
| Mon, Nov 9 | Team registration | San José del Cabo | For qualifying teams only |
| Tue, Nov 10 | Qualifying | Private property | No spectators; streamed live |
| Wed and Thu, Nov 11 and 12 | Tech inspection and contingency | Avenida Centenario, San José | Race vehicles parade past the crowds |
| Fri, Nov 13 | Race start | Avenida Centenario, San José | Bikes overnight, cars in the morning (times not confirmed) |
| Nov 14 and 15 | Finishers arrive | San José arroyo area | Spectator zone with barriers |
| Sun, Nov 15 | Awards | Venue not announced | Closes race week |
What makes the 2026 Baja 1000 different?
The Baja 1000 has started in Ensenada for most of its history. SCORE bills this one as the first to run only through Baja California Sur, with the start and finish in San José del Cabo, which is why it goes by "Cabo to Cabo." It is the 59th edition, and the 11th straight year that every SCORE race is held in Mexico. Los Cabos has hosted SCORE once before, as the start of the 2015 Baja Sur 500.
Península Digital reports about 300 pre-registered teams from more than 20 countries. Officials expect between USD 35 and 40 million in direct spending. For a visitor that means fuller hotels than a normal mid-November week and a busy San José from Monday to Sunday.
The Baja 1000 route 2026: 965 miles through four municipalities
The loop crosses the municipalities of Los Cabos, La Paz, Comondú and Loreto. From San José it heads up the East Cape past Cabo Pulmo, Los Barriles and Los Planes, climbs to La Paz and El Centenario, runs north to Ciudad Constitución, Ciudad Insurgentes and Loreto, then comes back down through Todos Santos and Cabo San Lucas to the finish.
| Detail | 2026 figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | 964.96 mi (about 1,553 km) | Península Digital |
| Format | One loop, start and finish in San José | SCORE, local press |
| Time limit | 40 hours | Península Digital |
| Checkpoints | Four mandatory | Península Digital |
| Map status | Preliminary, can still change | Península Digital |
If you want to watch out on the course instead of in town, use only the maps, bulletins and spectator areas SCORE publishes on its official channels.
Can you watch Baja 1000 qualifying?
No. Qualifying sets the start order. El Vigía reports it starts Tuesday, November 10, at 8:00 AM on private property with no spectator access, and it will be streamed live. Look for the stream on SCORE's official social accounts that day.
Tech inspection and contingency, November 11 and 12
This is the best chance to see the trucks, buggies and bikes up close. Tech inspection and the contingency parade run Wednesday, November 11 and Thursday, November 12 on Avenida Centenario in San José del Cabo, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, according to El Vigía. Confirm the hours with SCORE that week. Tribuna de México reports that authorities expect about 50,000 people a day.
The vehicles pass very close to the crowd at contingency. In 2024, during tech inspection for the Baja 1000 in Ensenada, a trophy truck lunged forward and two spectators died, according to El Imparcial. Stay on the sidewalk, away from the vehicle line, and never stand in front of a truck with its engine running.
What time does the Baja 1000 start on November 13?
The start is on Avenida Centenario in San José del Cabo. El Vigía reports 1:00 AM for motorcycles and quads and 9:00 AM for cars, Trophy Trucks and UTVs. SCORE hasn't posted those start times on its site, so check the organizer's site before you go.
Watch the clock. The press hasn't said whether those times are Cabo local time or Pacific time, which is an hour behind Cabo in November. Plan on Cabo local time and confirm with SCORE or the municipality's notices that week.
Where is the finish line and spectator zone?
For the finish, local authorities will set up a spectator zone at the San José arroyo with ramps, barriers and restrooms, according to Tribuna de México. With a 40-hour limit, the fastest cars could arrive late Friday night or on Saturday, November 14, and the last finishers as late as Sunday. Exact arrival times depend on how the race goes.
Where to watch the Baja 1000 safely: SCORE's spectator rules
SCORE publishes spectator safety guidelines, and they open bluntly: off-road racing is dangerous, and each spectator bears the ultimate responsibility for their own safety and their family's. Here are the main rules in short:
The list comes from SCORE's spectator safety guidelines, which also ask fans not to abuse alcohol and to have a designated driver. Posta adds what local authorities ask: respect closures and signs, park only where you're told, and stay off the course and private land.
Traffic and road closures during Baja 1000 week
Official closure times aren't out yet. Gringo Gazette notes that for races like this, they are usually confirmed only days before. What you can plan for:
- San José del Cabo, November 9 to 15, especially around Avenida Centenario and the arroyo.
- More off-road vehicles on roads and highways once pre-running opens.
- Delays toward La Paz, Todos Santos and Loreto while the race is on.
If you fly in or out of the San José airport that week, leave extra time. If you're staying in Cabo San Lucas, the route passes through there too, so check the official map for where it crosses before you plan transfers.
The awards on Sunday, November 15
The awards ceremony closes race week on Sunday, November 15. SCORE hasn't said where or when, so check the organizer's site.
A calm day on the water during race week
The start, contingency and finish are all in San José. Marina Cabo San Lucas, where our yachts board, is at the other end of the corridor. If someone in your group isn't a motorsport fan, or you've seen contingency and want a quiet day, November is a good month to be out there: the water runs about 81°F (27°C) and the sun sets around 5:35 PM. There's more in our guide to Cabo in November.
A few ways to spend it:
| Plan | Yacht | Guests | Price per boat |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 h snorkel at Santa María Bay | Sea Ray 40 | Up to 12 | USD 1,499 / MXN 28,499 |
| 2 h sunset cruise | Chaparral 28 | Up to 10 | USD 519 / MXN 9,799 |
| 4 h with a race crew and friends | Pontoon 38 | Up to 18 | USD 1,619 / MXN 30,799 |
Prices are per boat, 16% tax included, tip not included. Yachts sail until 8 PM and can stay anchored in the bay until 10 PM. We don't sell alcohol on board; guests 18 and over can bring their own. If you're based in San José, our list of things to do in San José del Cabo covers the rest of your week.
Hotels fill up that week, so it's worth booking the boat early. Open the planner with your date, time and group size, and we reply in writing within 2 hours, 8 AM to 8 PM Cabo time.
Yachts in this guide
Questions people ask
When is the Baja 1000 2026?
Race week runs Monday, November 9 to Sunday, November 15, 2026. SCORE International lists qualifying on November 10, tech inspection and contingency on November 11 and 12, the race start on Friday, November 13 and awards on November 15.
Where does the Baja 1000 2026 start and finish?
In San José del Cabo, the first time in the race's history that it starts and finishes there. Local press places the start on Avenida Centenario and the finish area by the San José arroyo.
What is the Baja 1000 2026 route?
A single loop of 964.96 miles (about 1,553 km), entirely inside Baja California Sur. It passes Los Barriles, Los Planes, La Paz, El Centenario, Ciudad Constitución, Loreto, Todos Santos and Cabo San Lucas. The map is still preliminary.
Where can you watch the Baja 1000 in Los Cabos?
At tech and contingency on Avenida Centenario on November 11 and 12, at the start on November 13, and in the spectator zone at the San José arroyo, which will have ramps, barriers and restrooms. Qualifying on November 10 is on private land with no spectators.
What time does the Baja 1000 2026 start?
El Vigía reports 1:00 AM for motorcycles and 9:00 AM for cars on Friday, November 13. The press hasn't made clear which clock those times use, so treat them as Cabo local time and confirm with SCORE before you go.
Plan your day on the water
Pick a yacht, the hours and the food in the planner. A written reply within 2 hours, 8 AM to 8 PM Cabo time.
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