Annual off-road endurance rally organised by ASO
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.
Asian Cup organizers have confirmed kickoff times and venues for the 2027 tournament across Riyadh, Jeddah, and Alkhobar, with a Feb. 5 final at King Fahd Sports City Stadium. The schedule aims to satisfy commercial and broadcast needs as regional tensions persist.
The 49th Dakar Rally has been relocated from Saudi Arabia to Africa, with Algarve hosting the prologue and first stage and Morocco hosting 11 stages including a rest day in Agadir. The event runs January 9–23, 2027, covering 7,824 km, and will return to Saudi Arabia in 2028.
The UN has ended its 35-year MINURSO peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara after the Security Council failed to renew its mandate following rival US and Russian drafts. The UN has started a liquidation phase repatriating personnel, closing facilities and removing assets. Morocco has welcomed the decision; the Polisario Front and Algeria have expressed regret and concern.
The Asian Football Confederation has postponed the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia from 7 January 2027 to 23 December 2027–21 January 2028. Organisers have said "exceptional circumstances" and logistical and travel disruptions have made the original dates untenable. Saudi domestic fixtures have been rescheduled and other regional sporting events have been cancelled or delayed.