The Dakar Rally will return to Saudi Arabia in 2027 with one of its most demanding routes to date, organisers have confirmed, unveiling a largely new course that pushes the limits of endurance rallying.
Scheduled from January 1 to 15, 2027, the 49th edition of the iconic rally raid will span a total distance of 8,390 kilometres, including a record 5,320 kilometres of timed special stages, the sections that determine overall standings.
Organisers say the 2027 route is composed of approximately 90% new terrain, highlighting the event’s continued exploration of Saudi Arabia’s vast and varied landscapes. Since relocating to the kingdom in 2020, the rally has already covered tens of thousands of kilometres, yet large parts of the country remain uncharted for competitors.
The rally will follow a large loop format, starting and finishing in King Abdullah Economic City on the Red Sea coast. Competitors will traverse a wide range of terrains, from dunes and rocky plateaus to fast gravel tracks, often encountering changing conditions within a single stage.
According to organisers, the 2027 edition will feature the highest special stage mileage ever seen in Saudi Arabia, surpassing previous benchmarks. For comparison, the 2025 rally included just under 5,000 kilometres of competitive sections, making the upcoming edition a significant escalation in difficulty.
The Dakar Rally is widely regarded as the world’s toughest off road motorsport event, testing not only speed but also navigation, mechanical skill, and physical endurance. Competitors, ranging from professional drivers to amateur adventurers, must tackle extreme conditions across long daily stages that can stretch hundreds of kilometres.
Race director David Castera has previously emphasised the importance of adaptability in modern Dakar routes, and the 2027 layout appears to reinforce that philosophy. The constantly shifting terrain and varied stage profiles are expected to demand strategic flexibility from teams, as well as resilience from both drivers and machines.
The event will also continue to serve as a key round in the World Rally Raid Championship, attracting top manufacturers and elite riders from around the globe. With innovations in vehicle technology and increasing emphasis on sustainability categories, the rally is evolving alongside the broader motorsport landscape.
As anticipation builds, the 2027 Dakar Rally promises to deliver a blend of exploration and extreme competition, reinforcing its reputation as a benchmark for endurance racing. With a near total overhaul of the route and record breaking competitive distance, next year’s edition is set to challenge even the most experienced Dakar veterans.
