The 2027 Dakar Rally would take place in Morocco, following a prologue and the first special stage in Portugal’s Algarve region, after the event was moved from Saudi Arabia.

Morocco will host 11 stages and a rest day in Agadir, with the rally starting in Loulé–Faro and finishing in Marrakech.

The 49th edition, scheduled for January 9–23, will cover 7,824 kilometers, including 4,341 kilometers of special stages, subject to World Motor Sport Council approval.

Rally director David Castera said organizers had maintained the event’s sporting standards despite limited preparation time.

The rally is expected to return to Saudi Arabia in 2028, while the 2027 edition would mark its first return to Africa since 2008.