Turkey's international rally raid organization TransAnatolia will be held for the 16th time between August 29 and September 5, 2026. Starting in Istanbul, competitors will cross the finish line in Ankara after a total route of 2,378 kilometers.

This year's route will extend from Istanbul to the mountainous regions of the Black Sea; after Bolu, Zonguldak, Ilgaz, and Tokat, it will pass through Cappadocia and reach Ankara. In the approximately week-long challenge, navigation, strategy, endurance, and adaptability to different terrain conditions will be decisive, in addition to speed.

Start on August 29 in Istanbul

The ceremonial start of TransAnatolia 2026 will be given on Saturday, August 29, at 7:30 PM at Viaport Marina Tuzla. Before the race, a prologue stage will be held at 4:00 PM on the same day at the Istanbul Park off-road area, which will determine the starting order of the competitors.

Thanks to the prologue, which will be open to spectators, motorsports enthusiasts will be able to closely watch the race vehicles and athletes. Information regarding designated spectator points for seven days will also be accessible via a QR code to be published by the organization.

This year, the "Festival of Motoring" will also be held for the first time with the support of Messe Frankfurt. Within the scope of the festival, visitors will have the opportunity to watch the preparation processes of the racers and participate in various motorsports-related events.

Racers from nine countries to meet in Turkey

In addition to Turkey, racers from Italy, France, Romania, Spain, Slovenia, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, and Argentina will participate in TransAnatolia 2026.

Two different competition formats are applied in the organization, which is held in motorcycle, automobile, truck, SSV, and 4x4 categories. In the rally category, athletes complete stages against the clock according to the prepared roadbook, while in the raid category, participants try to collect points by staying on the correct route.

To pass through different geographies of Anatolia

First held in 2010, TransAnatolia gained an international identity with its route that brings together motorsports with Turkey's natural and cultural diversity. The 2026 route will also combine different conditions in the same race, from the green and mountainous geography of the Black Sea to Central Anatolia and the characteristic terrain of Cappadocia.

The organization will continue its "Respect for Nature" approach, which it has emphasized in recent years, this year as well. Stages and campsites are planned with the goal of reducing environmental impacts, with particular attention paid to the risk of forest fires. Race routes will be used in accordance with permits granted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and support will be provided for waste collection in the areas passed through.

TransAnatolia will be held with the contributions of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the General Directorate of Forestry, and the Turkish Automobile Sports Federation.

The race will start in Istanbul on August 29; after the Bolu, Zonguldak, Ilgaz, Tokat, and Cappadocia stages, it will conclude in Ankara on September 5.

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