The decision has been made: After seven consecutive editions in Saudi Arabia, the Dakar Rally must find a new home for 2027. This was confirmed by organisers Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) and the Saudi Motorsport Company (SMC) on Sunday in a joint statement.
The 49th edition was originally scheduled to be held in Saudi Arabia from 1 to 15 January 2027. In view of recent developments in the Middle East, those responsible agreed to move the event to another country. The decision was made in consultation with the Saudi motorsport federation and with the support of the FIA and the motorcycle world federation FIM.
A full cancellation is explicitly not planned. ASO intends to run Dakar 2027 as planned and will announce the new host location in the coming days.
Return to Africa increasingly likely
Even before the official confirmation there had been reports of a possible move to North Africa. According to the news agency Reuters, Dakar 2027 could start in Europe, with Spain or Portugal being discussed as possible start locations. Afterwards participants could cross by ferry to Morocco and contest the bulk of the rally there.
A new date is also under discussion. Instead of 1 January, the prologue could take place on 9 January, with the finale then scheduled for 22 January. Around twelve stages are planned. These details have not been officially confirmed.
If the Africa option proves correct, it would be a return to the event’s roots. The Dakar last ran on African soil in 2007. The 2008 edition was cancelled for security reasons; afterwards the rally moved to South America, where it was held from 2009 to 2019. Since 2020 the desert classic has taken place exclusively in Saudi Arabia.
The WRC also had to react
The security situation in the region recently affected other motorsport events as well. In September the WRC round in Saudi Arabia that had been planned for November was cancelled. As a result, the 2026 WRC finale took place in early October in Sardinia.
On 19 October the Saudi event within the FIA Middle East Rally Championship was cancelled. This makes the Dakar already the third major international rally event whose original planning has been altered by developments in the region.
Dakar is scheduled to return to Saudi Arabia in 2028
The relocation is explicitly intended to be a one-off exception. ASO and SMC have already confirmed that Saudi Arabia will host Dakar 2028 again. The upcoming 50th edition is planned to be particularly elaborate.
For competitors and teams the short-notice change brings significant logistical challenges. Vehicles, service equipment and personnel must now be prepared for a completely different route. According to its own statements, ASO is already in contact with the registered teams and partners to organise the transition.
