What's happened
Organisers have moved the Dakar Rally from Saudi Arabia for 2027 to a different territory, with a location to be announced in coming days. A return to Saudi Arabia is planned for 2028 to mark the 50th edition, while security concerns and regional tensions weigh on the event.
What's behind the headline?
Analysis
- The Dakar moves highlight broader sports realignments amid regional instability, with multiple events reassessing venues.
- The shift to Africa or Europe would mark a return to Dakar’s historical roots and could broaden regional exposure for the race.
- The decision to revive Saudi Arabia for the 2028 edition signals a desire to preserve long-term partnerships while managing risk.
- Readers should monitor official announcements for a final venue and schedule implications for teams and sponsors.
How we got here
Dakar began in 1979, shifted to South America in 2009, and then to Saudi Arabia in 2020. Organisers ASO and SMC are relocating the 2027 edition amid regional security concerns and attacks. Speculation about a move to Morocco or Spain has circulated.
Our analysis
AP News, Al Jazeera, Arab News, The New Arab, The New Arab, The New Arab. Direct quotes and specifics can be found in the cited outlets' reports; see linked articles for full context.
Go deeper
- Where will the 2027 Dakar Rally be held?
- What are the implications for teams and sponsors if the event moves to Africa or Europe?
- When will organizers confirm the 2028 return location in Saudi Arabia?
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Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - Country in the Middle East
Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is a country in Western Asia constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula.
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Yemen - Country in the Middle East
Yemen, officially the Republic of Yemen, is a country at the southern end of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is the second-largest Arab sovereign state in the peninsula, occupying 527,970 square kilometres.
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Dakar Rally - Off-road rally raid
The Dakar Rally is an annual rally raid organised by the Amaury Sport Organisation. Most events since the inception in 1978 were staged from Paris, France, to Dakar, Senegal, but due to security threats in Mauritania, which led to the cancellation of the
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Amaury Sport Organisation - Sport promoting company
The Amaury Sport Organisation is part of the French media group Éditions Philippe Amaury. It organises the Tour de France and other cycling races, as well as golf, running, sailing and off-road motorsport events.
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Morocco - Country in North Africa
Morocco, officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is a country located in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It overlooks the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, with land borders with Algeria to the east and Western Sahara to th
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Paris - Capital of France
Paris is the capital and most populous city of France, with an estimated population of 2,150,271 residents as of 2020, in an area of 105 square kilometres.
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Dakar - Capital of Senegal
Dakar is the capital and largest city of Senegal. The city of Dakar proper has a population of 1,030,594, whereas the population of the Dakar metropolitan area is estimated at 2.45 million. The area around Dakar was settled in the 15th century.
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Senegal - Country in West Africa
Senegal, officially the Republic of Senegal, is a country in West Africa. Senegal is bordered by Mauritania in the north, Mali to the east, Guinea to the southeast, and Guinea-Bissau to the southwest.
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Spain - Country
Spain, officially the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southwestern Europe with some pockets of territory across the Strait of Gibraltar and the Atlantic Ocean. Its continental European territory is situated on the Iberian Peninsula.