Here's the thing: the world-renowned off-road rally that draws hundreds of competitors is packing its bags and leaving Saudi Arabia for 2027, as Speedcafe reports. Organisers pointed directly to recent developments in the region amid conflict in the Middle East. It is a massive shift for the beast of an event, which has called Saudi Arabia home since 2020 through seven consecutive editions that showcased the Kingdom's remarkable geographical diversity and established a strong, long-term strategic partnership between A.S.O., SMC and SAMF.
Thankfully, the rally itself is not dead in the water. Dakar 2027 will go ahead as scheduled from January 1-15, organised by A.S.O. in a completely different territory. A new location for the event will be announced in the coming days, with Morocco heavily tipped to fill the void. A.S.O. is currently in direct contact with competitors, teams and partners to support them through this sudden transition.
Organisers were quick to emphasize that this move is exceptional and a one-off. The decision was taken in close coordination with the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation (SAMF), alongside the support of the FIA and the FIM. All three organisations have reaffirmed their commitment to continuing their cooperation, developing motorsport in the Kingdom, and delivering outstanding experiences for competitors, teams and fans.
Better yet, Saudi Arabia will officially host Dakar 2028. That particular outing will be a landmark edition celebrating the 50th running of the rally. Both organisations are already hard at work to make that milestone an exceptional moment for the Dakar and for the Kingdom, maintaining a shared commitment to once again deliver an iconic and world-class event to the highest of standards. Meanwhile, this off-road shake-up makes the Dakar Rally just the latest in a long list of events to have been cancelled or postponed across the Middle East.
