One Of World’s Most Famous Races To Take Place In Los Cabos Next Year

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If you’ve ever wanted to see one of the most legendary motorsports events on the planet without flying to Vegas or camping in the middle of nowhere… here’s your excuse to come to Cabo.

We at The Cabo Sun are tracking a huge announcement from SCORE International: the BFGoodrich Tires 59th SCORE Baja 1000 will start and finish in Los Cabos in November 2026—and for the first time in Baja 1000 history, the course is expected to run exclusively in Baja California Sur.

So… what exactly is the Baja 1000 (and why is this a big deal)?

The Baja 1000 is basically the Super Bowl of off-road racing—the race that off-road fans refer to as “The Granddaddy of All Off-Road Races.” It draws teams from around the world and has a long history of big-name competitors and celebrity attention over the decades.

And in 2026, the spotlight shifts south: Los Cabos is set to be the main stage instead of the usual “all roads lead to Ensenada” vibe.

The dates you actually need (so you can plan like a pro)

Here’s what SCORE has published so far for Baja 1000 week in Los Cabos:

• Race week: November 9–15, 2026
• Qualifying day: November 10
• Tech + contingency (the fan-favorite pre-race days): November 11–12
• Race start: November 13
• Awards: November 15
• Pre-running opens: October 31, 2026

If you’re trying to decide when to come: Tech + contingency days are often the sweet spot for visitors because you can see the vehicles up close and soak up the atmosphere without committing to “race-day chaos.”

What this will feel like in Cabo (spoiler: loud, electric, and busy)

Picture Cabo during a peak moment—then add helicopters, cameras, pit crews, and that constant braaap of engines in the distance.

If you’ve ever been here for a major holiday week, you already get the vibe. We recently broke down how intense things can get during big event nights (like New Year’s Eve on Médano Beach), and Baja week will be another one of those “plan ahead or suffer later” moments. (Here’s that NYE logistics guide if you like being prepared.)

And yes—hotel demand is likely to spike. Even heading into 2026, we’ve seen how quickly Cabo fills up during high-demand windows, so for Baja 1000 week, think: book earlier than you normally would.

Smart travel tips for tourists (especially if you’re not here for the race)

Not everyone wants front-row seats to off-road history. If that’s you, here’s how to play it:

If you want the Baja 1000 experience:

• Stay flexible with transportation. Expect detours and bottlenecks, especially around major event zones.
• Build buffer time into everything. Dinner reservations, airport transfers, day trips—give yourself extra room.
• Treat race areas like event areas. More people + more moving parts = more opportunities for confusion.

If you want a quieter Cabo trip:

• Consider coming the week before or the week after the main race window (Nov 9–15, 2026).
• If you are here that week, plan slower days and avoid trying to “do it all” in one itinerary.

One more practical thing: Cabo isn’t built for casual highway walking

Big events bring extra foot traffic, and Los Cabos’ main roads can already be a little wild for pedestrians. If you’re planning to explore beyond the resort zone during a high-activity week, you’ll want to be extra mindful—especially near Highway 1. We covered the city’s push to improve crossings, but the current reality is still: don’t gamble with traffic.

The bottom line

The Baja 1000 choosing Los Cabos as both start and finish is a genuinely major “eyes of the world” moment for the destination—one that will bring a whole different kind of energy to Baja California Sur in November 2026.

Whether you come to chase the adrenaline or you strategically avoid the madness… the key is the same: know the dates, book early, and plan your movement like Cabo will be busy (because it will be).