The 2027 Dakar Rally will not take place in Saudi Arabia as planned – a new venue is needed due to the security situation – Morocco is considered the favourite
The 2027 Dakar Rally will not be held in Saudi Arabia as planned. This was announced on Sunday in a joint statement by the organiser, Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O.), and the Saudi Motorsport Company (SMC). The organisers cited recent developments in the region as the reason.
The decision was taken in close consultation with the Saudi Arabian Motor and Motorcycle Federation (SAMF) and with the support of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) and the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM).
The 2027 Dakar Rally is set to take place as planned in early January, but in a different country. A.S.O. will continue to organise the event. The location where participants will line up at the start in early January is due to be announced in the coming days. Morocco is considered a likely candidate.
Since the outbreak of war in the region at the end of February, several motorsport events in the Middle East have been postponed or cancelled altogether. These include the World Rally Championship (WRC) season finale in Saudi Arabia, originally scheduled for November, and the Dubai 24-hour race planned for January.
Whilst Formula 1 and MotoGP intend to go ahead with their races in the region, the situation in Saudi Arabia has become increasingly uncertain. The Iran-backed Houthi rebels have attacked several key targets in the country this month, including Riyadh Airport.
The Gen4 era of Formula E is also set to begin in Saudi Arabia. Jeddah is scheduled to host the season opener for the 2026/27 season on 18 and 19 December.
Saudi Arabia is set to return in 2028
This decision brings to an end, for the time being, a run of seven consecutive Dakar rallies in Saudi Arabia. Since 2020, the Kingdom has hosted the historic rally, offering participants routes through the country’s diverse landscapes.
According to the organisers, the relocation applies exclusively to the 2027 edition. A return to Saudi Arabia is planned for 2028. That edition is set to mark a special anniversary: it will be the 50th time the Dakar has been held.
With the relocation for 2027, the organisers now face the task of preparing a new venue for one of the world’s most demanding rally-raid events within a matter of months.