Dakar Rally Heads to Portugal and Morocco for 2027
From Algarve to Marrakech Photo by Honda. The 49th Dakar Rally has found its home, as organizers have confirmed the 2027 edition will run from Portugal to Morocco. The move marks a genuine return to the event's roots, bringing the rally back to Africa for the first time in two decades. [cuttext][/cuttext] The relocation is a direct response to security concerns in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,…
The 49th Dakar Rally has been confirmed to travel from Portugal to Morocco in 2027, marking the first return to Africa for the event in two decades. The relocation comes after security concerns in Saudi Arabia, where Houthi strikes prompted organizers to move the race. Despite the challenges, the Amaury Sport Organisation and Saudi Motorsport Company deemed the decision "exceptional and one-off," with Saudi Arabia set to host the 50th edition in 2028.
The 4,862-mile route begins in Algarve, Portugal, with the prologue and first special stage in Loulé-Faro and the 30,000-seat Algarve Stadium. The caravan then crosses the Mediterranean to Nador, Morocco, and races through the Atlas Mountains, Zagora, and Agadir before entering the deserts of the far south. The route concludes in Marrakech.
With 350 competitors already registered and broadcasts in over 190 countries, the 49th Dakar Rally promises to be the most challenging rally-raid event. Race Director David Castera stated that the relocated edition meets the sporting standards that have defined the rally for decades.
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