JEDDAH: The Dakar Rally Saudi Arabia 2027 will feature the longest competitive stage distance since Dakar arrived in Saudi Arabia, covering 5,320 km of timed specials, surpassing the 4,903 km recorded in the 2025 edition.
Saudi Motorsport Co. and Amaury Sport Organization, in cooperation with the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation and under the supervision of the Ministry of Sport, have also unveiled the route for the rally from Jan. 1 to 15, according to a recent press release from the organizers.
The contest will take competitors on a full loop route, starting and finishing in King Abdullah Economic City in Rabigh governorate.
The course will include three entirely new stages and place a particular focus on the Red Sea region, while offering a varied mix of terrain. Sand sections, in their different forms, will feature more prominently, with fewer rocky sections, adding a new layer of technical challenge for competitors.
While the route is geographically focused, it is set to deliver one of the longest, most varied and most demanding editions staged in the Kingdom.
Throughout the journey, competitors will face shifting conditions that demand a high level of adaptability. The route will also include a marathon stage, during which crews will spend the night at the bivouac with limited outside assistance before resuming competition the following day.
Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, chairman of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation and Saudi Motorsport Co., said Dakar “has found a natural home in the Kingdom.”
He said this was “not only because of its geographic diversity and demanding terrain, which align closely with the nature of the rally, but also because of the values it represents: resilience, endurance, and the spirit of discovery. These are the same values reflected by Saudi Arabia.”
Prince Khalid added: “From the beginning, our objective has been clear: to present Dakar in a way that reflects the Kingdom’s identity as an ambitious, open country that connects with the world through sport.
“Today, we are not only announcing a new route; we are continuing a journey that began with welcoming the world and continues to grow stronger with every stage of this event.”
Registration for the rally has opened, including entries for the Dakar Classic category, while updated regulations have been announced to enhance competitive fairness, particularly across the historic vehicle classes.
Prince Khalid also launched the selection process for the third group of the Saudi Next Gen program, which aims to identify and develop a new generation of Saudi rally-raid talent and enable them to take part in the global event.
The Mission 1000 challenge will also feature an updated format designed to accommodate new innovation-led projects and raise technical and competitive performance, reflecting a continued focus on innovation in motorsport.
