# Rally-raid competition shifts to Africa > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/rally-raid-competition-shifts-to-africa > Updated: 2026-10-27T00:06:38.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 3. Major rally-raid events are planning routes through Africa for 2027. The 49th edition of the Dakar Rally is expected to move from Saudi Arabia to Africa due to security concerns and regional tensions in the Middle East. Organizers from the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) and the Saudi Motorsport Company (SMC) have officially announced that the 2027 edition will no longer be held in the Kingdom. While a specific new location has not been 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 begin with a prologue in Spain or Portugal before moving to Morocco for approximately 12 stages. Despite this relocation, ASO and SMC reaffirmed their long-term partnership, noting that Saudi Arabia is slated to host the 50th anniversary edition in 2028. Separately, the 18th edition of the Africa Eco Race is scheduled to run from January 24 to February 6, 2027. The competition will start in Tangier, Morocco, for the second consecutive year, with participants arriving between January 21 and 23 for technical verifications. Following an official launch and prologue on the municipal beach of Tangier on January 24, the race will traverse Morocco and Mauritania before concluding at Lac Rose in Senegal. The event aims to promote regional tourism and highlight the landscapes and heritage of the involved territories. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-27: Dakar Rally 2027 relocated from Saudi Arabia due to regional tensions The 2027 Dakar Rally will not be held in Saudi Arabia due to regional tensions. Organizers confirmed the event will proceed in a different territory, with Saudi Arabia set to host the 50th anniversary in 2028. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dakar-rally-2027-relocated-from-saudi-arabia-due-to-regional-tensions ### 2026-10-21: Dakar Rally to move from Saudi Arabia to Africa in 2027 Due to Middle East tensions, the 2027 Dakar Rally is expected to move from Saudi Arabia to a route spanning Europe and Morocco. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dakar-rally-to-move-from-saudi-arabia-to-africa-in-2027 ### 2026-10-21: Africa Eco Race 2027 to start in Tangier The 18th Africa Eco Race will run from January 24 to February 6, 2027, starting in Tangier, Morocco, and ending in Senegal to promote regional tourism. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/africa-eco-race-2027-to-start-in-tangier --- Cite as: Rally-raid competition shifts to Africa. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/rally-raid-competition-shifts-to-africa