Desert racing in the Gulf is getting bigger. Nissan has announced Season 2 of its Tat’ees Championship, and for the first time the series will leave Saudi Arabia, with new rounds planned in the UAE and Qatar. The season starts in Jeddah this month and finishes with a regional final in Hail in March 2027. Here is everything announced, and what is still unknown.
Quick Highlights
- Season 2 runs from November 2026 to March 2027
- First rounds in Saudi Arabia, then new rounds in the UAE and Qatar
- Open to Nissan drivers and drivers of other brands
- Categories for professionals, amateurs and women, plus four-wheel-drive vehicles, motorcycles and quad bikes
- UAE round date, venue and registration details have not been announced
What Is Tat’ees?
Tat’ees (also spelled Tat3ees) is a popular form of desert dune driving in Saudi Arabia, where drivers tackle steep sand climbs and courses that test speed, precision and control. Nissan launched its championship in October 2025 to give the sport a safe, professionally managed setting, with events held under the supervision of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation.
How Season 1 Went
The inaugural 2025 season had three rounds, starting at Half Moon Bay in Dammam, moving to Bahrah in Jeddah and ending in Hail. According to the official championship site, the overall winner was Mohammed Al-Ghunaim in the modified V8 class, and the results included a separate winner in the ladies’ category. Nissan says there was strong participation across all divisions.
The Season 2 Calendar
| Round | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeddah, Saudi Arabia | 20 to 21 November 2026 |
| 2 | Dammam, Saudi Arabia | 11 to 12 December 2026 |
| 3 | United Arab Emirates | To be announced |
| 4 | Qatar | To be announced |
| Final | Hail, Saudi Arabia (regional final) | March 2027 |
The top qualifiers from each round will advance to the regional final in Hail to compete for the overall title.
Who Can Enter?
Season 2 welcomes both Nissan drivers and competitors using vehicles from other manufacturers. The classes include:
- Modified and stock four-wheel-drive vehicles with four-, six- and eight-cylinder engines
- Two-wheel motorcycles
- Four-wheel quad bikes
Nissan is also highlighting inclusivity, with dedicated categories for female drivers alongside amateur and professional classes.
Rules and Safety
Competitors race on sand courses under the championship’s technical regulations and safety requirements. In Saudi Arabia, rounds are supervised by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation. In other countries, rounds will be organised in coordination with local regulatory and tourism authorities, and with local Nissan dealers.
What We Don’t Know Yet
- The date and location of the UAE round
- Registration opening dates, entry fees and eligibility rules for UAE drivers
- How spectators can attend
Nissan says registration details and updates for each local round will be announced in due course. If you are interested in entering, follow Nissan Middle East and your local Nissan dealer for announcements, and only take part in officially organised events.
What Nissan Says
Thierry Sabbagh, who leads Nissan and INFINITI in the Middle East, KSA, India and CIS, said the championship links Nissan’s motorsport heritage with a sport that is deeply rooted in the region. He said the company wants to build a lasting regional championship with Saudi Arabia at its heart and bring Tat’ees to more countries in the years ahead.
Final Thoughts
Bringing organised dune racing to the UAE gives desert driving fans a safe, official way to compete. The big question is when the UAE round happens and who can enter. Would you enter a Tat’ees round? Tell us in the comments.
