The 2025 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, the second round of the World Rally-Raid Championship, will feature some new wrinkles for its 34th edition.

Al Ain’s Hazza bin Zayed Stadium will be as the site of the first bivouac. For the first time, there will be a second bivouac located in the Al Dhafra region by Mzeer’ah; this will serve as the main hub for most of the rally from that point on.

The race will total 1,920 kilometers with 1,189 in Selective Sections. By comparison, the 2024 ADDC had a 1,902-km route with 1,179 being timed.

Stage #3 will be held under marathon conditions, meaning competitors cannot rely on their crews for help. The marathon camp will be located just outside Al Qou’ before returning to Mzeer’ah the next day.

The fifth and final stage will head from Mzeer’ah to the finish in Abu Dhabi.

2025 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge route

Stage	Start	Finish	Selective Sections	Road Sections	Date
Prologue	Al Ain	Al Ain	14 km	58 km	February 22
Stage #1	Al Ain	Mzeer’ah	243 km	157 km	February 23
Stage #2	Mzeer’ah	Mzeer’ah	228 km	74 km	February 24
Stage #3	Mzeer’ah	Marathon	237 km	151 km	February 25
Stage #4	Marathon	Mzeer’ah	300 km	94 km	February 26
Stage #5	Mzeer’ah	Abu Dhabi	167 km	197 km	February 27