Organizers are moving the 2027 Dakar Rally out of Saudi Arabia due to ongoing regional conflict and security concerns.
The Dakar Rally will leave Saudi Arabia for its 2027 race. Organizers made this choice because of recent regional unrest. They cited ongoing conflict as the primary reason for the move.
Also, officials plan to announce a new location soon. The race will return to Saudi Arabia in 2028. Organizers want to celebrate the 50th anniversary there.
Next, the Amaury Sport Organisation confirmed these plans on Sunday. They previously hosted the event in Saudi Arabia since 2020. The race remains a very tough off-road challenge.
However, recent attacks forced this difficult decision. Houthi fighters launched strikes on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. These attacks caused many deaths and injuries.
As a result, several other sports events also faced cancellations. Formula One cancelled its race in Jeddah this year. Organizers also scrapped the World Rally Championship round.
Meanwhile, tennis stars like Novak Djokovic saw their exhibition delayed. The WTA Finals moved from Riyadh to California. These changes show the impact of the wider regional war.
Still, some races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi remain on the schedule. Officials continue to debate the safety of those future events. They monitor the situation in the Middle East closely.
After that, reports suggested Morocco or Spain as possible hosts. Moving to Morocco would return the rally to Africa. The race last took place in Africa in 2007.
Finally, the conflict in Yemen continues to escalate. Houthi forces recently gained ground along the Red Sea coast. This fighting affects businesses and daily life in the kingdom.