Overview
- Amaury Sport Organisation and the Saudi Motorsport Company jointly announced on Sunday that the January 1–15, 2027 Dakar will be relocated because they cannot guarantee sufficient security in Saudi Arabia.
- Organizers pointed to a recent spike in strikes by Yemen’s Houthi fighters as the reason for the decision, citing attacks that included a deadly strike on Riyadh’s airport earlier in October.
- Specialist media report that a Spain-to-Morocco route is the favored alternative for 2027, which would return the rally to Africa for the first time since 2007, though ASO will confirm the venue in the coming days.
- ASO said Saudi Arabia will host the rally again in 2028 to mark the Dakar’s 50th edition, signaling a desire to preserve long-term ties with the Kingdom despite the temporary move.
- The decision follows a wider disruption of major Gulf sporting events this year and could affect teams, local contractors, and Saudi plans to attract global sports, with organizers and hosts weighing short-term security needs against long-term partnerships.