Key Takeaways
- The 2027 Dakar Rally will not take place in Saudi Arabia.
- The event, scheduled from January 1 to 15, 2027, will move to a different location.
- This decision follows recent security issues in the region.
The 2027 Dakar Rally, a prestigious international rally event, will not be held in Saudi Arabia due to security concerns, according to organisers Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO).
The ASO announced that the rally, which was set to take place from January 1 to 15, 2027, will move to a new location, with details to be announced shortly.
This decision comes after a series of disruptions to other major sporting events in Saudi Arabia, including the postponement of the Saudi International golf tournament and the cancellation of the Urban World Championships.
The Dakar Rally, which has been held in Saudi Arabia since 2020, is the latest in a string of events affected by security issues, including attacks by Yemen’s Houthis.
The ASO stated that the decision to move the rally is ‘exceptional and one-off’ and that the event will return to Saudi Arabia for its 50th edition in 2028.
Other affected events include the Six Kings Slam tennis tournament, which was postponed to December, and the World Rally Championship, which has dropped Saudi Arabia from its calendar.
The move to a new location is expected to impact the logistics and planning of the event, but organisers are committed to ensuring the rally continues as a global spectacle.
The decision highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Saudi Arabia in maintaining security and hosting major international events.
