Dakar Cancels Saudi Arabia Rally, But Says The Event is Still On

The Dakar Rally will not run in Saudi Arabia in 2027, with organizers moving the event to an as-yet-unnamed territory while keeping the January schedule intact. Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O.) and Saudi Motorsport Company (SMC) announced the decision in a joint statement, citing "recent developments in the region."

The 2027 edition had been scheduled to run from January 1 to 15 in the Kingdom. It will now take place elsewhere under A.S.O. organization, with the location to be confirmed "in the coming days." A.S.O. said it is coordinating directly with competitors, teams and partners through the transition. The Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation (SAMF) was closely involved in the call, which the FIA and FIM also supported.

Both organizations described the change as "exceptional and one-off." Saudi Arabia will return to host Dakar 2028, which marks the rally's 50th running. The two organizations said they have already begun work to turn the milestone into "an exceptional moment for the Dakar and for the Kingdom." The Kingdom has hosted seven consecutive editions since 2020. All three organizations reaffirmed their commitment to continued cooperation and to developing motorsport in Saudi Arabia.

Neither party detailed which developments prompted the relocation.

The strategic partnership between A.S.O., SMC and SAMF remains in place, with the 2028 edition positioned as the showcase for its continuation. For 2027, the priority is clarity on where the rally will run. A.S.O. has promised a separate announcement shortly. Until then, teams face a compressed window to prepare for a route and terrain that have not yet been identified.

This news comes amid ongoing speculation that the Formula 1 races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi towards the end of this year ight not happen, despite F1 and the FIA insisting they will.