Saudi Arabia Unveils Dakar Rally 2027 Route

PARIS, May 5 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Saudi Motorsport Company and rally organizer Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) unveiled on Tuesday the route for the 8th edition of the Dakar Rally Saudi Arabia – the 49th edition globally – scheduled to run from January 1 to 15, 2027. The announcement was made at a press conference in Paris.

The 2027 edition will feature a total of 5,320 km of timed special stages, the longest distance recorded since the kingdom began hosting the rally in 2020, surpassing the 4,903 km set in the 2025 edition.

The route includes three entirely new stages, with a particular focus on Red Sea areas, and will run as a circular loop starting and finishing in King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) in Rabigh, Makkah region. The course features a greater proportion of sand sections compared to previous editions, with a relative reduction in rocky terrain, raising the level of technical challenge for competitors.

The rally will include a marathon stage requiring competitors to camp overnight at bivouacs and prepare independently for the following day’s competition – a format that underscores Dakar’s identity as one of the world’s most demanding endurance races.

“Dakar Rally has found a natural home in the Kingdom, given its diverse geography and harsh terrain, which align with the nature of the rally, as well as the values of endurance, resilience and the spirit of discovery – values that the Kingdom itself embodies” – Prince Khalid Bin Sultan Bin Abdullah Bin Faisal, Chairman, Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation.

Registration for the rally and the Dakar Classic category has opened, while organizers also announced regulatory updates aimed at improving competitive fairness, particularly for historic vehicle categories.

Prince Khalid Bin Sultan Bin Abdullah Bin Faisal also launched the selection process for the third batch of the “Saudi Next Generation” programme, aimed at identifying and developing Saudi talent for participation in international rally competition. Separately, the “Mission innovative 100” challenge was announced as undergoing development to accommodate new innovative projects and raise technical and competitive standards.

KEY FACTIS

Edition: 8th Saudi Arabia/ 49th globally

Dates: Jan 1 – 15, 2027.

Start/Finish: King Abdullah Economic City, Rabigh.

Special stages: 5,320 km (record for Saudi editions)

New stages: 3

Focus: Red Sea region, sand terrain.

Photography | Courtesy of SPA.