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The Dakar Rally 2027 will not be held in its usual host nation of Saudi Arabia due to safety concerns arising from the ongoing conflict in the country.

Organisers Amaury Sports Organisation (ASO) confirmed the decision on Sunday, saying it was an “exceptional and one-off” move.

The Rally, one of the most famous off-road races, has been held in Saudi Arabia since 2020 and had been slated to take place 1 to 15 January 2027, but has been moved “following recent developments in the region”.

ASO did not say where the race would take place.

Saudi Arabia has been rocked by escalating violence in recent weeks following attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi rebel group, including deadly bombings of Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport earlier this month.

The Dakar Rally is the latest sporting event to be moved as a result of the violence with security concerns over the safety of holding events in the country, including the lucrative Six Kings Slam tennis tournament, which has been postponed from October to the end of December.

Golf’s Asian Tour has postponed the Saudi International event, with no alternative date confirmed, while the World Rally Championship will not longer visit Saudi Arabia and the cycling Urban World Championships were cancelled.

ASO’s statement continued: “Dakar 2027 will go ahead. The 2027 edition will take place in a different territory and will be organised by ASO. The location will be announced separately in the coming days. ASO is in direct contact with competitors, teams and partners to support them through this transition.”

The statement added that the 2028 event, the 50th anniversary edition of the Dakar Rally, would go ahead in Saudi Arabia as planned.

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