War in the Middle East: Due to the conflict with the Houthis, no Dakar 2027 in Saudi Arabia

Organizers of the Dakar Rally announced on Sunday that the 2027 edition of the famous off-road race will not take place in Saudi Arabia. The decision follows escalating security threats in the region, specifically daily airstrikes by Yemen’s Houthi rebels against the kingdom. The Amaury Sport Organization, known as ASO, and the Saudi Motorsport Company stated jointly that the event, originally scheduled from January 1 to January 15, 2027, will be relocated to a different territory. They described the move as an exceptional and one-off measure, promising that the specific new location would be revealed in the coming days. The international automobile and motorcycle federations supported the announcement. The conflict between the Houthi movement in Yemen and Saudi Arabia reignited in July after several years of relative calm. Since then, the kingdom has faced daily strikes, including attacks on its capital, Riyadh. Recent violence included a series of assaults on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh this month, which resulted in eighteen deaths and hundreds of injuries. These incidents made it impossible for organizers to maintain the race in the country, despite previous efforts to design a safer route through the northern part of the kingdom. Specialist racing media and sources within the World Rally-Raid Championship suggest that the preferred alternative involves a start in Spain with the finish in Morocco. This potential route would mark the first time the rally returns to the African continent since 2007. The Dakar Rally was created in 1979 as a competition running from Paris to Dakar, the capital of Senegal. In 2008, the event was cancelled on short notice due to security concerns in North Africa. Following that cancellation, the race moved to South America, hosting editions there from 2009 to 2019. Since 2020, all editions have been held in Saudi Arabia. The relocation represents a significant logistical challenge with less than three months remaining until the start of the race. Organizers confirmed that the event will proceed as planned regarding dates but will require a change of venue. They are currently in contact with pilots, teams, and sponsors to facilitate necessary logistical adjustments. While the official host nation has not yet been named, reports indicate that Morocco is emerging as a primary candidate to host much of the course. This disruption adds to a growing list of sporting events affected by the geopolitical tensions involving Iran and the Houthis. Several major competitions have already been moved or cancelled this year. The World Rally Championship removed its November date in Jeddah from its calendar. Additionally, the final round of the World Rally Championship in Saudi Arabia has been scrapped. In motorsport, the Formula One Grand Prix in Jeddah was cancelled, and the race in Bahrain was initially called off before being rescheduled under the same name in Malaysia. However, the final two Formula One races of the season, scheduled for Qatar on November 29 and Abu Dhabi on December 6, remain on the calendar. Similarly, the Qatar MotoGP race is still programmed for November 8, though it faces internal debate. Other sports have also felt the impact. Golf’s Asian Tour postponed the Saudi International indefinitely. Cycling’s Urban World Championships were cancelled earlier this month. In tennis, the Six Kings Slam exhibition tournament, featuring stars such as Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, and Alexander Zverev, was postponed from October to late December pending further developments. The WTA Finals, which were set to be held in Riyadh next month, will instead take place at Indian Wells in California, United States. Despite the immediate relocation, organizers emphasized their long-term commitment to the kingdom. They assured stakeholders that Saudi Arabia will host the Dakar Rally again in 2028. That upcoming edition holds particular historical significance as it will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the rally. The organizers framed the current move as a temporary response to the volatile security environment, reaffirming the partnership between ASO and the Saudi Motorsport Company. The Houthi movement, backed by Iran, has intensified regional tensions over the past few months. Saudi Arabia has participated in the Yemen conflict for more than a decade, leading a military coalition in support of the internationally recognized government. The sustained attacks on Saudi infrastructure, including airports and other facilities, have driven the decision to remove high-profile international events from the country. As the search for a new host concludes, attention turns to whether the proposed Spain-Morocco corridor can accommodate the massive logistical operation required for the world’s toughest off-road race. The official announcement of the new venue is expected imminently.