The 2027 Dakar Rally, originally scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia from January 1 to 15, has been cancelled due to escalating regional security concerns linked to ongoing attacks by Houthi rebels. Organizers announced the cancellation on Sunday, attributing the decision to recent developments in the area.
The announcement stated that the choice was made in close coordination with the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation (SAMF), and had the backing of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) and the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), the rally’s governing bodies. While the 2027 event will no longer be held in Saudi Arabia, organizers confirmed the race will proceed at a different location, which has yet to be disclosed.
Since 2020, Saudi Arabia has hosted the Dakar Rally, a high-profile endurance race known for its challenging terrain and international field of competitors. Officials indicated that the rally is expected to return to the kingdom in 2028 for its 50th edition.
The decision to cancel follows a recent surge in attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi movement, which controls parts of neighboring Yemen. These assaults have included strikes on Riyadh’s airport that resulted in casualties and injuries. The deteriorating security situation has prompted similar event disruptions; earlier this week, the Global Champions Tour show jumping finals set for Riyadh were also cancelled, with organizers relocating the equestrian competition to Verona, Italy.
The developments underscore the broader impact of regional tensions on international sporting events in Saudi Arabia amid ongoing conflict and instability in the Arabian Peninsula. Organizers of the Dakar Rally have emphasized that the cancellation is an exceptional and temporary measure reflecting current security conditions.