Dakar 2027 starts in Portugal and finishes in Marrakech after Saudi Arabia drop-out

The route

The 49th Dakar is scheduled for 9 to 23 January 2027. It starts in the Algarve in Portugal and finishes in Marrakech in Morocco. The route includes a prologue and 12 stages covering 7,824 km, of which 4,341 km are timed special stages. The prologue on 9 January covers 129 km, with 29 km timed, according to SAPO. The first stage on 10 January has 100 km timed, starting from the Loulé-Faro area. The final stage on 23 January is 240 km long, with only 22 km timed, around Marrakech.

Total route7,824

Timed special stages4,341

Total route

7824 km

Timed special stages

4341 km

Data from the article text

Crossing to Africa

After the opening days in Portugal, the caravan will head to southern Spain on 10 January, where vehicles are due to embark at night for Africa. The caravan will cross Spain without competing, and the embarkation port has not yet been confirmed. Vehicles will reach Nador and then travel to Bouarfa, the site of the first Moroccan bivouac, which is due to be reached on 11 January. Morocco will host 11 of the 12 stages and a rest day in Agadir, with six bivouacs planned along the route.

Why the race left Saudi Arabia

The organisers had earlier decided not to hold the race in Saudi Arabia because of the conflict in the Middle East, which SAPO says made a presence in the kingdom unviable. The Amaury Sport Organisation said the race will be transferred to Europe and Africa exceptionally in 2027, before returning to Saudi soil in 2028 for the 50th edition. The decision was taken in coordination with the Saudi Arabian Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, with the support of the FIA and FIM. Race director David Castera said the organisers had little time to prepare the new edition.

“Despite having little time, we have designed a true Dakar.”

Entries and checks

ASO thanked more than 350 participants who have already signed up despite months of uncertainty. Entries will include cars, motorcycles, trucks, quads, Challenger and SSV categories. The Dakar Classic for classic cars and the Future Mission 1000 for zero-emission or hybrid vehicles will also run. A Dakar Saudi Next Gen programme is also planned. The assistance park is due to open at the Algarve stadium on 5 January, with technical and administrative checks set for 6 to 8 January.