Sports · 2026-10-26 · Morning briefing

Dakar Rally moved from Saudi Arabia for 2027 edition

The 2027 Dakar Rally will be moved from Saudi Arabia due to "recent developments in the region," organisers announced on Sunday. The Amaury Sport Organisation and the Saudi Motorsport Company stated that the off-road race, scheduled for January, will be held in a new territory to be announced in the coming days. Saudi Arabia has hosted the event since 2020.

Organisers intend to bring the rally back to the kingdom in 2028 to celebrate its 50th edition. The relocation is not without precedent; the race was cancelled on short notice in 2008 because of security concerns in its traditional North African locations.

The decision is the latest in a series of disruptions to Saudi Arabia's sporting calendar. This season's Formula One grand prix in Jeddah was cancelled, as was the final round of the World Rally Championship. The WTA Finals, scheduled for Riyadh, will now be held in Indian Wells, California, while an exhibition tennis tournament featuring Novak Djokovic has been postponed.

Summary written by Cup of News with AI from the sources below. Check the originals for the full story.

Read the sources

• Dakar Rally 2027 moved out of Saudi Arabia amid conflict in Middle East
• FIA announces Dakar Rally 2027 won't take place in Saudi Arabia
• Dakar Rally 2027 to move out of Saudi Arabia:
• Dakar Rally 2027 will not be held in Saudi Arabia, organisers say
• Dakar Rally 2027 moves out of Saudi Arabia: Here's what happened

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