Forced to abandon the Saudi desert, the 2027 Dakar will exceptionally take place in Portugal and Morocco next January
This is just the latest repercussion of the conflicts in the Middle East on international sporting events in the Gulf region
In light of recent events in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia including the intensifying attacks against Riyadh by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi fighters the car and motorcycle rally-raid will exceptionally move to Europe and Africa in 2027 It will then return to Saudi territory in 2028 for its 50th edition, the Amaury Sport Organisation ASO announced in a statement
The 49th edition will include a prologue followed by 12 stages from January 9 to 23 with a route running from Loule-Faro in Portugal to Marrakech in Morocco This is the first time since 2007 that the Dakar returns to Africa Canceled in 2008 due to fears of attacks and jihadist threats it had left Africa to move to South America from 2009 to 2019 It then contested seven editions in Saudi Arabia from 2020 until last January
The Algarve in Portugal will be the scene of the prologue and the first special stage Morocco will host 11 stages and a rest day in Agadir with a view to full exploration from the north to the far south of its territory The race will stop at six bivouacs along the 7824 km route including 4341 km of special stages
