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Dakar Rally relocates to Portugal and Morocco due to Houthi attacks

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 30, 2026, 10:20 AM

Last updated Oct 30, 2026

Dakar Rally relocates to Portugal and Morocco due to Houthi attacks

Summary

The 2027 Dakar Rally will take place in Portugal and Morocco, organizers announced, moving from Saudi Arabia amid increasing Houthi attacks. The event will feature a prologue and first special stage in Portugal, followed by 11 stages in Morocco, covering almost 8,000 kilometers overall. This marks the first return of the Dakar to Africa since 2007. Organizers had aimed to keep the event in Saudi Arabia but security concerns due to escalating strikes, including one targeting Riyadh airport, made this unfeasible. The rally is scheduled to explore unique features of Morocco’s and is set to return to Saudi Arabia for its 50th edition in 2028.

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Status Watch

•The 2027 Dakar Rally will be held in Portugal and Morocco.
•This is the first Dakar in Africa since 2007.
•Organizers hoped to retain the rally in Saudi Arabia but were forced to relocate.
•The event will cover nearly 8,000 kilometers with stages in both countries.
•A special 50th edition is planned to return to Saudi Arabia in 2028.

Latest Updates

10:20 AMYahoo Sports — Dakar Rally moved to Portugal and Morocco following Houthi attacks in Gulf

What they're saying

"
Portugal and Morocco will host the 2027 Dakar Rally the organisers announced on Friday after it was moved from Saudi Arabia following repeated attacks on the kingdom by Yemen's Houthis.Dakar Rally organisers had hoped to keep the 2027 race in Saudi Arabia by working on a new route in the northern part of the country.
— Yahoo Sports

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