PARIS, October 22, 2026 — One of the world’s most demanding motorsport competitions is reportedly preparing for a historic return to Africa, as escalating security threats in the Middle East threaten to end Saudi Arabia’s run as host of the Dakar Rally.
The 2027 Dakar Rally, originally scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia, is now expected to move to Morocco, with an opening prologue potentially staged in Spain or Portugal, according to three people involved in the World Rally-Raid Championship who spoke to Reuters.
If finalized, the decision would mark the Dakar Rally’s first return to Africa in nearly two decades and represent one of the biggest geographical changes in the competition’s modern history.
Saudi Arabia’s Security Crisis Forces a Rethink
The proposed relocation comes amid intensifying tensions between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement.
Attacks targeting Saudi cities, airports and energy infrastructure have raised security concerns for an international race that requires extensive logistical support across remote desert regions.
On October 10, a strike on Riyadh’s international airport killed at least 12 people and injured more than 300, according to Reuters.
The deteriorating security environment has reportedly prompted race officials to reconsider whether the kingdom can safely accommodate the event in January 2027.
Organizers had initially explored an alternative route in northern Saudi Arabia, but the reported shift toward Africa suggests that more substantial changes are now under consideration.
Morocco Could Become the New Dakar Battlefield
Under the reported proposal, competitors would begin the rally with a prologue in either Spain or Portugal before traveling to Morocco for approximately 12 competitive stages.
The new dates are expected to be January 9–22, 2027, replacing the original January 1–15 schedule.
Morocco’s desert landscapes, mountain terrain and established rally-raid infrastructure could provide a challenging setting for elite drivers and riders competing across multiple vehicle categories.
However, critical details remain unresolved, including the final route, logistical arrangements and official confirmation of the host locations.
From Paris to Africa, South America and Saudi Arabia
First staged in 1978, the Dakar Rally became internationally famous for its demanding long-distance routes across the Sahara and toward Dakar, Senegal.
Security concerns eventually forced the competition away from Africa, with South America hosting the event from 2009 through 2019.
Saudi Arabia took over hosting duties in 2020, ushering in a new era of desert racing and large-scale international motorsport investment.
The original 2027 Saudi Arabian route was intended to feature approximately 5,320 kilometers of timed competitive stages, beginning and ending in King Abdullah Economic City.
That ambitious plan now faces a potentially fundamental overhaul.
What the Relocation Could Mean for Competitors
A move from Saudi Arabia to Morocco could create significant planning challenges for teams already preparing their vehicles, personnel and equipment for the 2027 event.
Competitors may need to revise logistics, evaluate different terrain conditions and adjust race strategies once the final course is disclosed.
The reported European prologue could also introduce a different opening format before competitors begin the demanding African desert stages.
For motorsport fans, however, the potential return carries historical significance: a competition bearing the name of Senegal’s capital could once again race on the continent where its international reputation was forged.
Official Announcement Still Pending
Despite the growing reports, the relocation had not been formally confirmed in the Reuters account published on October 21.
Amaury Sport Organisation, the event’s organizer, along with the FIA and FIM, had not immediately responded to requests for comment.
Until an official announcement is issued, the Morocco route, European prologue and revised January dates should be treated as reported plans rather than finalized arrangements.
The bigger question is no longer simply whether the Dakar Rally can leave Saudi Arabia. It is whether a return to Africa could reshape the future of the world’s most demanding rally-raid competition.
For competitors, organizers and millions of motorsport followers, the next official route announcement could determine how the Dakar Rally enters its next chapter.
