Dakar Rally Returns Home to Europe-Africa as Saudi Arabia Suddenly Seems Less Safe

The 2027 Dakar Rally will race from Portugal to Morocco, somewhat recalling the race’s original route from Paris, Europe, to Dakar, Africa. Not quite the same in most ways, but at least the right geographic locations are there. However, the new route isn’t happening because of the race’s roots or for nostalgia, but because the Middle East is too unsafe right now to welcome the traveling circus and everything that comes with it.

Racers will set off from Algarve Stadium in the coastal city of Faro, Portugal, on January 9 and will land on African soil two days later, on Jan. 11. It will then continue through the continent until it finishes in the ancient city of Marrakech, Morocco, on Jan. 23.

The route for the 49th edition of the off-road race will stop at six bivouacs along the 4,862-mile route, including 2,697 miles of special stages, according to the Dakar’s press release.

Last year I had the pleasure of attending a segment of the Dakar in Saudi Arabia, and although I’d followed it on TV for a decade, I appreciated just how otherworldly it is. The racers, the fans, the surroundings- it felt like a race on Mars. And off-roading for 1,000 miles across the kingdom in a Land Rover Defender was even more so. I don’t doubt the 2027 edition will be just as awesome; after all, both Portugal and Morocco aren’t new to hosting rally events.

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