From 27 to 30 August, Szczecin and Drawsko Pomorskie will host the 18th edition of AKPOL Baja Poland – Poland’s biggest and most prestigious cross-country rally. The event counts as a round of the FIA European Baja Cup, with competitive action in Szczecin and at the Drawsko Military Training Ground.

Baja Poland first ran in 2009 and made its debut as a round of the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies three years later. The 2026 rally is the 18th edition and the 15th to count towards an international FIA cross-country series.

The FIA European Baja Cup takes top billing, with the West Pomeranian event forming the fourth round of the season. AKPOL Baja Poland 2026 also counts towards the FIA Central European Zone Cross-Country Championship (FIA CEZ – Round 6), the Polish Cross-Country Rally Championship (MPRCC – Round 5) and the Czech Cross-Country Rally Championship (MMCR – Round 3).

The same weekend brings together competitors from the Polish Cross-Country Cup and Can-Am Baja Promo. Motorcycle and quad riders join the field for the Polish Baja Rally Championship, the Polish Baja Rally Cup and the amateur Baja Promo ATV, Baja Promo Adventure and Can-Am Cross Country series.

Krzysztof Hołowczyc remains the most successful driver in Baja Poland history. The Olsztyn native has won the event 10 times, reaching double figures alongside Łukasz Kurzeja in 2025.

ENEA ARENA AT THE HEART OF THE ACTION

As in previous years, Enea Arena in Szczecin hosts the rally HQ for AKPOL Baja Poland 2026. The nearby service park is located at the Military Shooting Range in the area of Szafera and Szeroka streets.

FIA European Baja Cup crews face an 8.85km Prologue followed by four special stages covering 351.66km. Almost 300km of that timed distance is concentrated into Saturday’s two runs at the Drawsko Military Training Ground, before the action returns to Szczecin and the roads north-west of the city on Sunday.

FRIDAY: FIRST ACTION AND A RETURN TO WAŁY CHROBREGO

Friday’s Shakedown from Dobra to Wołczkowo runs from 10:00 to 14:00 and offers the first opportunity to see the cars and crews in action. The four-hour session gives teams one final chance to check their vehicles and refine their set-ups before the competition begins.

Timed action follows at 17:20 with the 8.85km Prologue, running from Szczecin’s Głębokie neighbourhood to Zawadzkiego Street. The Prologue times do not count towards the overall classification, but determine the order in which the top 10 drivers select their starting positions for Saturday’s leg.

At 20:00, attention turns to Wały Chrobrego, where the ceremonial start returns after a one-year absence. Fans can see the competitors and their vehicles up close, while the top Prologue finishers select their starting positions for Leg 1.

SATURDAY: FASTER AT THE DRAWSKO MILITARY TRAINING GROUND

Two runs through a 149.75km stage, starting at 09:15 and 13:40, make Saturday’s leg at the Drawsko Military Training Ground the backbone of the rally.

Organisers have reworked the route for 2026, reducing the number of corners and increasing the pace. On paper, the less twisty course may make navigation more straightforward. In practice, higher speeds leave navigators less time to read and deliver each roadbook instruction, and crews less time to react. They also leave less scope to recover from a navigational error.

Both Saturday stages cross military land and are therefore closed to spectators. Fans can instead visit the remote service park, relocated from the Lake Bucierz area to a site by the railway siding in Drawsko Pomorskie. The first car is due at 12:25 for a 45-minute service between the two runs, with crews returning to the same location after the second stage.

SUNDAY: THE FINAL STAGES AROUND SZCZECIN

Sunday brings the rally back to the outskirts of Szczecin for two passes over the 26.08km Sławoszewo–Wołczkowo–Szczecin stage. Starting in Sławoszewo, the route is neutralised in Wołczkowo before resuming for the second part and the finish on Zawadzkiego Street in Szczecin.

The opening pass starts at 09:05. Following service near Enea Arena, the 13:05 repeat brings the competitive action to a close and settles the outcome of AKPOL Baja Poland 2026.

The podium ceremony and prize-giving begin in front of Enea Arena in Szczecin at 14:30.

AKPOL BAJA POLAND 2026 PROGRAMME (FIA European Baja Cup)

Total route: 611.15km; four special stages totalling 351.66km, plus an 8.85km Prologue

Friday, 28 August:

  • 10:00–14:00 – Shakedown (Dobra–Wołczkowo)
  • From 17:20 – Prologue (Głębokie–Zawadzkiego Street, Szczecin – 8.85km)
  • From 20:00 – Ceremonial start and selection of starting positions (Wały Chrobrego, Szczecin)

Saturday, 29 August:

  • From 09:15 – SS1: Drawsko Military Training Ground (149.75km)
  • From 12:25 – Service A: 45 minutes (Drawsko Pomorskie)
  • From 13:40 – SS2: Drawsko Military Training Ground (149.75km)
  • From 16:15 – Service B: 45 minutes (Drawsko Pomorskie)

IMPORTANT: Saturday’s special stages at the Drawsko Military Training Ground will not be accessible to spectators. The remote service park in Drawsko Pomorskie will be open to the public.

Sunday, 30 August:

  • From 09:05 – SS3: Sławoszewo–Wołczkowo–Szczecin (26.08km)
  • From 11:20 – Service C: 60 minutes (Military Shooting Range in the area of Szafera and Szeroka streets, Szczecin)
  • From 13:05 – SS4: Sławoszewo–Wołczkowo–Szczecin (26.08km)
  • 14:30 – Podium ceremony and prize-giving (Enea Arena, Szczecin)