(Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) - The 2027 Dakar Rally will be staged outside Saudi Arabia, organizers announced Sunday, October 25, while confirming that the event itself will continue.

Amaury Sport Organisation and Saudi Motorsport Company said their joint decision followed regional developments. The Saudi edition had been scheduled for January 1–15, 2027.

Replacement territory to be announced

A.S.O. will organize the relocated competition and announce its location in the coming days. The statement identifies no replacement country or route. It says the organizer is contacting competitors, teams and partners about the transition.

The organizations describe the relocation as applying to this edition only. They say Saudi Arabia will host the rally again in 2028 for its 50th running, following seven consecutive Saudi editions since 2020.

The decision was coordinated with the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, with backing from the FIA and FIM, according to the announcement.

Source: Dakar organizers’ October 25 statement.

Editorial illustration of rally equipment and a pending 2027 itinerary; not a photograph of the event or a confirmed replacement route.