Dakar Rally Set to Return to Morocco in 2027 After 20-Year Absence
The famous Dakar Rally is expected to return to Morocco in January 2027. According to the Spanish press, organizers have informed teams of a change of country because of security tensions in Saudi Arabia. Twelve stages are being considered, mainly in the Moroccan desert.
Morocco may finally get its Dakar. According to information published Monday, October 19, by Spanish sports daily AS, Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), the event’s organizer, has informed teams of a new program for the 49th edition. The race would exceptionally leave Saudi Arabia, where it has been held since 2020, and return to the African continent.
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The change would be considerable. Originally scheduled for January 1 to 15, 2027, the competition would now take place from January 9 to 22, with a prologue and twelve stages. Drivers would cover around 4,300 timed kilometers, compared with the 5,320 kilometers planned under the Saudi program. A rest day would be set for January 16.
The race could start in Europe. Spain and Portugal are being considered to host the prologue and a first stage, before the competitors head to Morocco. The start and finish cities have yet to be determined. Daily newspaper La Vanguardia confirms the main features of this new scenario.
Merzouga at the heart of the new Dakar
Once in Morocco, the race would move into the Merzouga desert. Organizers are planning, in particular, a marathon stage, during which crews would spend the night in the desert without mechanical assistance. This format would preserve one of the Dakar’s main challenges despite the shorter route.
The decision comes after several weeks of uncertainty. Tensions in Saudi Arabia had led organizers to consider a route farther north in the country, followed by a replacement option in Morocco. In early October, an initial Moroccan scenario limited to eight stages was presented to teams. The new program would ultimately bring the number to twelve.
For competitors, the move would upend preparations for the rally. Technical inspections are now being considered for January 6, while schedules for transporting vehicles and equipment would have to be reorganized.
Morocco would once again host a race that regularly crossed its territory until 2007, before the 2008 edition was canceled and the Dakar moved to South America. This time, the Moroccan desert would host most of the race.
Organizers have yet to make their decision public. As of October 20, the official Dakar website still shows the original route in Saudi Arabia, from January 1 to 15, 2027.
