Paris: Saudi Motorsport Company and Amaury Sport Organisation, in cooperation with the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation and under the supervision of the Ministry of Sport, have unveiled the route for the Dakar Rally Saudi Arabia 2027, which will take place from January 1-15, 2027.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the announcement was made during a press conference in Paris, attended by Chairman of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation and Saudi Motorsport Company Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdullah bin Faisal, Acting CEO of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation and CEO of Saudi Motorsport Company Eng. Mansour bin Ali Al-Mokbel; A.S.O. CEO Yann Le Mo«nner; and Dakar Rally Director David Castera.
Prince Khalid stated that the Kingdom has become a natural home for Dakar due to its geographic features and challenging terrain, which resonate with the rally's nature. He emphasized that the values of resilience, endurance, and the spirit of discovery are mirrored by Saudi Arabia.
He further mentioned that the goal from the beginning has been to present Dakar in a manner that embodies the Kingdom's identity as an ambitious, open nation that engages with the world through sport. The announcement of the new route is a continuation of the journey that began with welcoming the global community, strengthening with each stage of the event.
The eighth edition in the Kingdom will cover 5,320 kilometres of timed special stages, marking the longest competitive distance since Saudi Arabia started hosting the rally in 2020, surpassing the 4,903 kilometres recorded in the 2025 edition.
Dakar Rally Saudi Arabia 2027 will feature a full loop route, starting and finishing in King Abdullah Economic City in Rabigh Governorate. The course will include three entirely new stages and focus on the Red Sea region, offering a varied mix of terrain.
Sand sections will be more prominent than in previous editions, with fewer rocky sections, adding a new layer of technical challenge for competitors. The route is expected to provide one of the longest, most varied, and most demanding editions staged in the Kingdom.
Registration for the rally has opened, including entries for the Dakar Classic category, with updated regulations announced to enhance competitive fairness, particularly across historic vehicle classes.
Prince Khalid also launched the selection process for the third group of the Saudi Next Gen programme, aiming to identify and develop new Saudi rally-raid talent for participation in the global event.
The Mission 1000 challenge will feature an updated format accommodating innovation-led projects to boost technical and competitive performance, emphasizing innovation in motorsport.
The event supports the continued development of the Kingdom's motorsport sector, offering an integrated experience for competitors, teams, and fans, aligning with Saudi Arabia's established position on the international stage.