Dakar Rally to move from Saudi Arabia to Africa in 2027

The 49th edition of the Dakar Rally is expected to move from Saudi Arabia to Africa due to heightened tensions in the Middle East. According to sources cited by Reuters, including drivers and a team manager, the competition is planned to begin with a prologue in either Spain or Portugal before moving to Morocco for the remaining stages, which will likely consist of 12 stages.

The 2027 event is tentatively scheduled to take place from January 9 to January 22. This marks a significant shift from the original plan, which featured a route starting and ending in King Abdullah Economic City with a record 5,320 km of special stages.

The Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) has reportedly been working with the FIA and FIM to develop this alternative route. The decision follows security concerns in Saudi Arabia, which has been impacted by regional escalations involving the Houthi movement. Historically, the rally originated as a route from Paris to Dakar, Senegal, before moving to South America and eventually Saudi Arabia.