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Dakar moves 2027 rally to Portugal and Morocco

Conceptual AI-generated editorial motorsport illustration; not a documentary photograph or evidence that a pictured event, meeting or transfer occurred. · 2026-10-30GPBeat newsroom · News Made Clear generated illustration

The 49th edition is planned for 9–23 January, subject to approval by the FIA World Motor Sport Council, with the rally due to return to Saudi Arabia for its 50th running in 2028.

GPBeat · Newsroom30 Oct 2026, 10:24 · 1 min

Portugal and Morocco will host the Dakar Rally’s 49th edition in January 2027, organisers have confirmed. The event is set to run from 9–23 January, pending approval by the FIA World Motor Sport Council. Saudi Arabia is due to host the 50th edition in 2028.

The move follows the FIA’s confirmation several days earlier that the 2027 rally would not take place in Saudi Arabia amid the ongoing crisis in the region. Plans call for a prologue and 12 stages between Loulé-Faro and Marrakech. The Algarve will host the prologue and opening special stage; competitors will then cross the Mediterranean to Morocco, where 11 stages and a rest day in Agadir are planned.

The route covers 7,824 km, including 4,341 km of special stages, across six bivouacs. The Dakar Classic, Dakar Future Mission 1000 and Dakar Saudi Next Gen programme will also make the move. Dakar director David Castera said the route had been assembled at short notice and that 350 competitors had already registered.

Sources 01
  1. SOURCEDakar Rally confirms new 2027 host after move away from Saudi ArabiaRacingNews365 English

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