Dakar Rally off-road race moved out of Saudi Arabia over ‘developments’ in Middle East
The 49th edition of the Dakar Rally, originally scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia from January 1 to 15, 2027, will now be held in a different territory, according to organisers Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O.) and Saudi Motorsport Company (SMC). The decision was made following recent geopolitical developments in the Middle East, with the new host location expected to be announced soon.
The rally, which has been held in Saudi Arabia since 2020, will still proceed as planned, with Morocco and Portugal or Spain among potential new destinations. The Prologue may also be held in Portugal or Spain before the rally moves across the Alboran Sea. Despite the relocation, Saudi Arabia is set to host the 2028 Dakar Rally, marking the 50th running of the event.
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