No Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia in 2027 – a return to Africa?

The long-running speculation has come to an end: the organisers of the Dakar, the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) and the Saudi Motorsport Company (SMC), announced in a joint statement on Sunday that, after seven consecutive editions, the traditional desert rally will not take place in Saudi Arabia but will have to be held at an alternative venue.

The 49th edition was originally scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia from 1 to 15 January 2027. In light of recent developments regarding the Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia, the organisers consider the situation to be too uncertain, meaning the event will be relocated to another country. The decision was taken in consultation with the Saudi Motorsport Federation and in cooperation with the FIA and FIM.

The statement expressly rules out the cancellation of the traditional Dakar Rally. ASO intends to hold the 2027 Dakar as planned and will announce a new venue shortly in the coming days.

There had recently been various reports of a possible move to North Africa. The 2027 Dakar is now set to begin in Europe, with Spain or Portugal cited as possible starting points. Participants could then travel by ship across the Mediterranean to Morocco, where the majority of the rally would take place. ASO is already in direct contact with the participants, teams and partners to support them with this change of venue.

Instead of 1 January, the opening round of the World Rally Raid Championship is now scheduled to take place on 9 January. The final day would then be planned for 22 January. A total of twelve stages could be contested, although no official confirmation has yet been given.

Should the possibility of a route through Africa materialise, this would amount to a return to the event’s roots. The Dakar was last held on African soil in 2007.

The 2008 edition was cancelled for safety reasons. The rally subsequently moved to South America, where it was held from 2009 to 2019. Since 2020, the desert classic has taken place exclusively in Saudi Arabia. This decision is intended to be a one-off exception.

For its 50th edition in 2028, the plan is to host the Dakar Rally in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia once again.