The 2027 Dakar Rally will take place in Portugal and Morocco, organisers announced on Friday. The event was initially set to be held in Saudi Arabia but was relocated due to security concerns. The rally will start with a prologue and first special stage in Portugal, followed by 11 stages in Morocco, covering almost 8,000 kilometres.
The decision to move the rally was made after recent Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabian civilian infrastructure, which have reached an unprecedented scale since the start of the conflict in Yemen in 2014. A strike targeting Riyadh airport this month killed 13 people and injured hundreds more, rendering it impossible for the rally to proceed as planned in Saudi Arabia.
The Dakar Rally, created in 1978, has a long history of navigating challenging routes. From 2009 to 2019, it was held in South America due to security threats in North Africa. In 2020, it moved to Saudi Arabia, but the current situation has led to its relocation. Despite the change, race director David Castera assured that the 49th edition will meet the high sporting standards that have made the event the most demanding endurance rally.
The rally will cover 4,341km of special stages, with competitors set to explore Morocco from one end to the other. The route promises to showcase the kingdom's unique features on a large scale. Organisers intend to bring the rally back to Saudi Arabia in 2028 to celebrate its 50th edition.
The relocation of the Dakar Rally is not an isolated incident, as several sporting events in the region have been affected by the conflict in the Middle East. An exhibition tennis tournament featuring top players has been postponed, and the WTA Finals have been relocated from Riyadh to Indian Wells in the US.
The impact of the conflict on sports extends beyond the Dakar Rally. This season's Formula One grand prix in Jeddah was cancelled, while the race in Bahrain was rescheduled. The final round of the World Rally Championship in Saudi Arabia has also been scrapped. However, some events, including a WBC super-middleweight title bout, are still scheduled to take place in Riyadh.
The Houthi attacks have had significant consequences for the region, with many events being cancelled or relocated. The Dakar Rally's move to Portugal and Morocco marks a return to Africa for the event, which was last held on the continent in 2007. The rally's new route promises to be an exciting and challenging one, with competitors set to face a demanding course in Morocco.
Key points
- The 2027 Dakar Rally has been relocated from Saudi Arabia to Portugal and Morocco due to Houthi attacks in the region.
- The rally will cover almost 8,000 kilometres, with 4,341km of special stages in Morocco.
- The event's relocation marks a return to Africa for the Dakar Rally, which was last held on the continent in 2007.
