Now, here is a wild twist for the motorsport world: according to Motorsport.com Italia, the Dakar Rally is packing up and leaving Saudi Arabia for the 2027 edition. That is right, the brutal desert classic that has called the region home uninterrupted since 2020 is executing a backup plan. In a joint statement released on a Sunday afternoon, A.S.O. and SMC confirmed that while the event is definitely happening, it will not take place in Saudi Arabia as originally planned because of the delicate geopolitical situation in the Middle East.
The 49th edition of the rally will run right on schedule from January 1 to January 15, 2027. Where exactly? Well, the new host location will be announced in the coming days, though rumors swirling for several weeks heavily point toward Morocco. That would be a stunning return to the roots for the world's most famous rally, echoing the days when it finished in Africa. The very first Dakar kicked off in 1978, connecting Paris to the capital of Senegal, and the African continent remained its natural home for over three decades before the 2009 shift to South America and the eventual 2020 arrival in the Saudi desert.
Saudi Arabia will host the 2028 Dakar, a historic edition that will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the rally,
"Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O.) and Saudi Motorsport Company (SMC) have decided jointly that the 2027 Saudi Arabia Dakar, scheduled for January 1 to January 15, 2027, will not take place in the Kingdom following recent developments in the region," the organizers stated in their release. It is framed as an exceptional, one-off measure coordinated closely with the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation (SAMF) alongside support from the FIA and FIM. A.S.O. is currently in direct contact with competitors, teams, and partners to guide them through this sudden transition.
Thankfully, this is not a permanent divorce from the region. The organizers made it clear that this relocation is strictly limited to the 2027 running, with the rally locked in to return to Saudi Arabia for 2028. That 2028 event will mark the 50th anniversary of the race, serving up a massive historical milestone to celebrate the most demanding motorsport contest on earth. "Saudi Arabia will host the 2028 Dakar, a historic edition that will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the rally," the statement continues, noting that both organizations are already working to make that golden jubilee a special moment.
This shake-up follows a wave of motorsport disruptions across the Middle East due to regional tensions, which previously forced the WEC to scrap its Grand Prix in Qatar and reshuffle the tail end of its calendar. While Formula 1 and MotoGP currently keep their regional stops—with Qatar on both calendars and Abu Dhabi holding its traditional F1 season finale barring further shifts—the situation in Saudi Arabia remains tense following Houthi attacks on strategic infrastructure like the Riyadh airport. Even Formula E faces decisions regarding its planned Gen4 season opener at the Jeddah street circuit on December 18 and 19, 2026. For now, Dakar competitors must ready themselves for a new destination announcement very soon.
