Dakar Rally 2027 Moved Out of Saudi Arabia Due to Regional Developments — Returns in 2028

The FIA and Dakar Rally organizers have confirmed that the 2027 edition won't take place in Saudi Arabia, marking an exceptional decision linked to ongoing developments in the Middle East. The iconic desert rally will instead be staged in a different country. That has not yet been named. The surprise announcement ends months of speculation about the event's immediate future. A joint statement from Amury Sport and the Saudi Motorsport Company confirmed the move, noting that the next edition will be organized by Amury Sport in a location to be revealed in due course.

An Exceptional One-Off Decision

The Dakar Rally Saudi Arabia 2027 was originally scheduled for January 1–15, before organizers decided to relocate the competition to a new destination. The decision was made in full coordination with the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation and backed by both the FIA and the FIM. According to the joint statement, the relocation is exceptional and applies only once, given the regional circumstances. Amury Sport will take charge of organizing the 2027 edition in the yet-to-be-announced country. No further details were provided on the replacement host or the revised calendar. The coordination between international and local federations highlights the complexity behind the decision.

Saudi Arabia Returns for the 50th Anniversary in 2028

What's certain is that Saudi Arabia will host the Dakar Rally again in 2028, in an edition that carries special significance: it coincides with the 50th anniversary of the race's launch. The 2028 edition is expected to be a landmark moment for a rally that ranks among the world's toughest desert endurance events, drawing competitors and teams from across the globe every year. Returning to Saudi soil in 2028 will restore stability to one of the region's most high-profile sporting events. The golden edition will offer a chance to showcase new desert routes and diverse terrain that make the rally uniquely demanding.

Seven Consecutive Editions in the Kingdom Since 2020

Saudi Arabia has hosted the Dakar Rally for seven consecutive editions since 2020, after the race moved to its territory, establishing the Kingdom as a major destination for competitions known for their grueling desert tracks and varied terrain. Hosting the rally has boosted Saudi Arabia's standing on the global motorsport map, alongside a long-term strategic partnership between Amury Sport, the Saudi Motorsport Company and the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation. That partnership has been a cornerstone in developing the region's racing infrastructure. Still, moving the 2027 edition raises questions about the impact on participating teams and their logistics.

What the Relocation Means for Competing Teams

For teams, the decision to move the Dakar Rally 2027 raises practical questions, from rerouting shipping and equipment logistics to adjusting pre-race testing. Teams accustomed to Saudi routes will have to adapt to unfamiliar terrain. These changes are part of the nature of desert endurance racing. Yet uncertainty remains over the replacement host and its readiness to stage an event of this scale. At the same time, the confirmed return in 2028 reassures teams that view Saudi Arabia as a stable, well-equipped destination.

The Road Ahead for Dakar

Fans now await the announcement of the country hosting the 2027 edition, which may bring surprises. The Dakar Rally remains a global spectacle that draws millions of viewers. Moving a single edition doesn't diminish its stature. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, will prepare for a 2028 edition set to be the most significant in the race's organizational history. Grueling desert routes and diverse terrain will remain the core draw for international teams. Egypt's rally community will also be watching how these changes affect the regional competition calendar.