Dakar 2027 with a new route
10/30/2026
- Dakar returns to Europe and Africa
- X-raid realigns its preparations
The news opens up new possibilities: A.S.O. has relocated the 2027 Dakar Rally to Portugal and Morocco. This gives the upcoming Dakar a completely new perspective – and, above all, brings back one thing for teams, drivers, and customers: planning reliability and a grand adventure in Africa, the origin of the Dakar. The 49th edition will start on January 9, 2027, in Loulé / Faro, Portugal. Following the Prologue and the first special stage, competitors will cross through Spain to Morocco, where eleven further stages will take place. The grand finish will be celebrated on January 23, 2027, in Marrakech.
The relocation comes as a response to the current tense situation in the Middle East and the associated uncertainty regarding the safe execution of the rally in Saudi Arabia and transit to the region. Consequently, many teams and, in particular, private customers had already put their 2027 Dakar participation on hold. The now concrete Dakar plans bring fresh momentum back into the rally-raid scene.
Dakar 2027: From Portugal to Morocco
For the first time since 2008, the Dakar will start in Portugal again. The Algarve Stadium in Loulé / Faro will serve as the backdrop for the preparations and the official start of the Dakar 2027. The Prologue on January 9, 2027, will also be held in this region. The first stage will then lead competitors into Spain to board the ferry to Morocco. The bivouac will arrive in Nador the following day, completing an almost 600-kilometer transfer to Bouarfa. Eleven further stages through Morocco will follow before the drivers cross the finish podium in Marrakech on January 23, 2027. The rest day will take place on January 17, 2027, in the port city of Agadir. In total, crews will cover 7,824 kilometers — 4,341 km of which will be against the clock. Most of the special stages will range between 350 and 500 kilometers in length.
The new route promises a Dakar that will push everyone to their limits. Portugal, and Morocco in particular, offer demanding and diverse terrain — from fast passages to technically challenging desert sections. For drivers and vehicles alike, the rally will prove to be a true endurance test. At the same time, a race against time begins for the teams. The new situation presents organizers and competitors with a unique task: many preparations for Dakar 2027 had already been scaled back or halted completely due to the situation in Saudi Arabia. Now, new programs must be established within a very short timeframe.
Experience is key
For the Trebur-based X-raid team, this decision also calls for a comprehensive realignment. On the one hand, it allows slightly more time for technical and logistical preparation. On the other hand, an intensive phase now begins to realize potential 2027 Dakar programs together with existing and new customers. A major advantage for the team from Trebur is its more than 20 years of experience in rally-raid racing and at the Dakar Rally, which the squad has won six times to date.
Further information on Dakar 2027 can be found here.
Statement Sven Quandt, X-raid team principal
“We are very pleased that the decision to relocate Dakar 2027 finally brings clarity, even though this decision was made very late by ASO. This is crucial for us, as we can now re-engage in concrete discussions with drivers, customers, and partners. The challenge, however, is that many customers had already canceled their 2027 Dakar entries or altered their plans accordingly due to the situation in the region. Now, we need to put new programs together on relatively short notice and inspire prospective clients for Dakar 2027 once again. We have already received initial positive feedback and definitely see the potential to win over customers for the Dakar in the coming weeks.
From a sporting perspective, we can expect a very interesting and likely extremely tough Dakar — much like the ones we experienced prior to 2008. Twelve stages, a prologue, and around 4,300 timed kilometers represent a massive distance. Portugal and Morocco in particular offer outstanding terrain for a demanding rally. I believe we will experience a Dakar that will certainly evoke memories of the tougher editions of years past.
For us, this means: roll up our sleeves and get to work. We must realign our preparations, specify our existing customer programs, and secure new interested parties for the Dakar at short notice. Time is tight, but that exact challenge is what makes it so exciting.
Naturally, as a team, we deeply regret that Dakar 2027 will not take place in Saudi Arabia. Over the past few years, we have had wonderful experiences with the country and its people. Saudi Arabia has developed into an outstanding host for the Dakar since 2020 and proved, even under difficult circumstances like the COVID-19 pandemic, that an event of this magnitude can be executed and developed successfully. Furthermore, we associate Saudi Arabia with some of the greatest achievements in our team’s history: our Dakar victories in 2020 and 2021 with MINI, as well as the historic 2024 victory together with Q Motorsport and Audi Sport featuring an alternative drivetrain concept. We therefore sincerely hope that the situation in the region stabilizes so that the Dakar can return to Saudi Arabia in 2028.
At the same time, I view A.S.O.’s decision for 2027 very positively. Portugal as a starting point and Morocco as the main arena for the rally represent an excellent solution from my perspective. Both countries offer ideal conditions for a challenging Dakar and allow us to plan the rally safely and professionally under the current circumstances. Now, we must take the next steps together with our drivers, customers, and partners. And of course, we will do everything in our power to attract additional customers for this extraordinary adventure at short notice.”
