The Dakar Rally is returning to Africa for 2027

The Dakar Rally will temporarily return to African soil in 2027, with the current conflict in the Middle East forcing event organisers to move next year’s race away from Saudi Arabia.

Yep, after almost twenty years in South America and then Saudi, the monster rally raid will kick off in Loulé, Portugal on 9 January. The Prologue and first special stage will take place in Europe, before the whole thing crosses the Mediterranean Sea.

Sadly, the race won’t make it as far south as Senegal’s capital city, but 11 stages and the majority of the 7,824km route will take place in Morocco. The first bivouac on the continent will be in Bouarfa in the northeast of the country, with the route then heading south along the Atlas Mountains. Crews and drivers will get a rest day in Agadir, before venturing further south into the vast Moroccan deserts. The finish line will be the historic city of Marrakech.

Oh, and the excellent Dakar Classic will follow the same move. 

"The relocated 49th edition of the Dakar will meet the sporting standards that have always made it the most demanding rally-raid event,” said the race’s director David Castera.

“Despite the short timeframe we have had to work with, we have designed a true Dakar. The ACP (Automóvel Club de Portugal) is supporting us in Portugal, having established its round of the FIA-FIM World Rally-Raid Championship as a cornerstone of the season since 2024. And in Morocco, our expertise across the entire territory, combined with the operational capabilities of our internal teams, allows us to go far beyond the formats previously offered in the country: competitors will discover the Kingdom from one end to the other.

“We are already grateful for the loyalty of the competitors who are overwhelmingly choosing to follow us on this new adventure (350 already registered to date). The adventure continues, as do preparations for the historic celebration of the 50th edition in Saudi Arabia.”