The Rally Leaves the Middle East
The 2027 Dakar Rally will not be held in Saudi Arabia. Organizer A.S.O. and the FIA confirmed a one-off switch, citing "recent developments in the region." DirtFish reports, based on its sources, that the replacement will start in Portugal and then run in Morocco, planned for January 9 to 22, 2027. The route had not been officially revealed when DirtFish published, and A.S.O. said it would reveal the one-off route in the coming days.
It is the latest relocation in an event that has spent most of its history looking for a safe place to race.
What We Know About the Route
Dakar has been held in Saudi Arabia since 2020. The reported 2027 plan goes back to Africa, though the course reportedly stays only in Morocco after a Portuguese start. A source close to A.S.O. described the planning as "like a classic Dakar route," drawn up during the World Rally-Raid Championship round in Morocco. The move gives organizers an extra week to prepare, since the event is planned for mid-January.
Why the Change
The source said the decision was difficult because the possibility of running in Saudi Arabia was "becoming less" based on news reports, and that there were concerns "from lots of different ways," with all stakeholders, including teams, consulted. The source called the position "very, very complex" and said A.S.O. had to prepare "two Dakar routes at the same time." Dakar, the source said, is "like a world cup for off-road racing."
A Long History of Moving
The rally began as the Paris-Dakar, inspired by Thierry Sabine, who got lost in the Ténéré desert in 1975. The first edition left Paris on December 26, 1978, with 182 vehicles, according to one history, though sources differ on exact dates and Wikipedia dates the origin to December 1977. Sabine died in a helicopter crash in 1986 while searching for a lost motorcyclist.
The race spent decades in Europe and Africa before security concerns forced a change. The 2008 event was cancelled one day before its planned start in Lisbon, Portugal, because of threats further along the route in Mauritania. In 2009 A.S.O. moved Dakar out of Europe and Africa to South America, where it stayed until 2020, and then to Saudi Arabia. The move to South America reduced the number of participants, one history notes.
From Two Classes to Many
The early rally had motorcycles and four-wheeled vehicles. Today there are classes for cars, bikes, trucks, quads, side-by-sides, and classic vehicles, among others, and the champions listed on Wikipedia include Nasser Al-Attiyah in cars, Luciano Benavides in bikes and Vaidotas Žala in trucks, though that source does not say for which edition. Check dakar.com for official classifications.
What Morocco Means for the Competitors
A route in Morocco is a different kind of event from Saudi Arabia's. The Saudi courses are known for enormous dune seas and long stretches of open desert, while Moroccan terrain mixes stony plains, rocky tracks and dunes. Teams will need to adjust navigation, tires and suspension setups to suit. A source close to A.S.O. said the planners worked on a route that could work for Dakar during the Morocco round of the World Rally-Raid Championship, which suggests organizers have recent experience on the terrain.
The short notice complicates logistics. Teams ship vehicles and spares months ahead, and a change of host country affects customs, support and travel plans.
The Competitive Picture
Other DirtFish coverage notes that Toyota is planning to run a hydrogen Hilux at Dakar 2027, and that Dacia has said it will end its rally-raid program after the 2026 season, even though it was originally set to compete in 2027. A change of location does not change that entry list, but it could affect which teams find the shortened preparation window manageable.
What Comes Next
A return to Saudi Arabia is expected for the 50th anniversary Dakar in 2028, according to the report. In the meantime, fans should watch for the official route announcement from A.S.O., which should confirm the start location, stages and dates. For anyone planning to attend, wait for the official schedule before booking travel, since a route that has been revised once could still change. The 2027 edition will be a one-off, and for a race that has changed continents more than once, a Portuguese start and Moroccan stages may feel like a homecoming of sorts.
