Dakar Rally 2027 relocated from Saudi Arabia due to regional tensions

Organizers of the Dakar Rally have announced that the 2027 edition, originally scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia from January 1 to January 15, will no longer be held in the Kingdom. The decision was made jointly by the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) and the Saudi Motorsport Company (SMC) following recent regional instability.

While the exact new location has not been officially confirmed, organizers stated, “The Dakar 2027 will go ahead. The 2027 edition will take place in another territory and will be organized by A. S. O.” Speculation suggests the rally may return to Africa, potentially starting in Spain and finishing in Morocco.

Despite the change for 2027, ASO and SMC reaffirmed their long-term partnership, noting that Saudi Arabia is slated to host the landmark 50th anniversary edition of the rally in 2028.