Dakar Rally to leave Saudi Arabia for 2027 over security concerns
Organisers say the Dakar Rally will move elsewhere in 2027, with a new venue to be announced shortly and a return to Saudi Arabia planned for 2028.
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Security concerns have prompted organisers to relocate the 2027 Dakar Rally from Saudi Arabia, Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) announced on Sunday. A replacement location will be named within days.
New venue pending
ASO said it and Saudi Motorsport Company had agreed to move the rally, scheduled for 1 to 15 January, 2027, following recent regional developments. The organisation described the decision as an exceptional measure applying only to this edition.
Saudi Arabia has hosted the rally since 2020. ASO said the event would return there in 2028, when it marks its 50th edition.
Reuters had reported on Wednesday that Africa would host the 2027 race, citing sources involved in the World Rally-Raid Championship.
Other sporting events disrupted
The relocation adds to disruptions affecting sporting events in Saudi Arabia amid attacks by the Houthis, the Iran-aligned group from Yemen.
Golf’s Asian Tour postponed the Saudi International without setting a new date. Cycling’s Urban World Championships was cancelled earlier this month, while the Six Kings Slam tennis tournament was pushed back to December.
The World Rally Championship also removed Saudi Arabia from its schedule.
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