Sports · Motorsport · 2 hrs ago
Dakar Rally to run from Portugal to Morocco in January
The 2027 Dakar Rally will run from Portugal to Morocco from Jan.
9 to 23.
Organizers moved the race from Saudi Arabia because of conflict in the Middle East.
The Algarve region in Portugal will host the opening prologue and first stage, before competitors travel by sea to Morocco.
Morocco will host the remaining 11 stages, with the route reaching south to near Dakhla before turning north to finish in Marrakech.
The route covers 7,824 kilometers, including 4,341 kilometers of timed special stages.
The Dakar is the world’s biggest off-road race and returns to Africa for the first time in 20 years.
Organizers say the rally is expected to return to Saudi Arabia in 2028.
The Dakar Rally will start in Portugal and finish in Morocco from Jan. 9 to 23, 2027.
Organizers moved the race from Saudi Arabia because of conflict and instability in the Middle East.
The rally will return to Africa for the first time in 20 years.
The route covers 7,824 kilometers, including 4,341 kilometers of special stages, according to organizers.
- Who
- Dakar Rally organizers announced the new route.
- What
- The rally will run from Portugal to Morocco.
- When
- Jan. 9-23, 2027.
- Where
- The prologue and first stage will be in Portugal; the remaining 11 stages will be in Morocco.
- Why
- The race was moved from Saudi Arabia because of conflict and instability in the region.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Administrative and technical scrutineering will take place in Loulé-Faro, Portugal.
The prologue will take place in Portugal.
The first special stage is scheduled, followed by a transfer to the port for the crossing to Nador, Morocco.
The Mediterranean crossing to Morocco will take place.
The rally is scheduled to finish in Marrakech, Morocco.
- Dates
- Jan. 9-23, 2027
- Start
- Portugal
- Finish
- Marrakech, Morocco
- Total route
- 7,824 kilometers
- Special stages
- 4,341 kilometers
- Morocco stages
- 11