Series: Dakar 2027
Update, as of 21 October 2026: According to a report by Actualidad Motor, the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) is considering a fallback plan for Dakar 2027. Under it, scrutineering and the prologue could take place in Spain or Portugal, while the main part of the rally would be run in Morocco. There is no official confirmation from ASO on the route, host country, dates or format.
In its report of 20 October 2026, the Spanish outlet states explicitly that “ninguna de las piezas está oficialmente cerrada”, meaning that none of the building blocks is officially settled (translation). According to Actualidad Motor, the idea has been discussed with teams and logistics managers.
What the draft envisages
The version described by Actualidad Motor gives the following key details. All of this comes from this single report and is unconfirmed:
- Technical scrutineering and prologue in Europe, on the Iberian Peninsula
- Prologue on Saturday, 9 January 2027
- Rest day on Saturday, 16 January 2027
- Finish on Friday, 22 January 2027
- Twelve competition days
- Around 4,300 kilometres of special stages; the report does not give a total distance including liaison stages
Morocco would therefore be the main venue, with Merzouga as the central reference point. A so-called Marathon Refugio stage is also said to be planned: two days without mechanical service in between, with an overnight stay in an improvised camp. According to the report, the special-stage distance is slightly below that of the most recent editions in Saudi Arabia.
Security situation cited as the reason
Actualidad Motor gives security as the reason for the deliberations. Several participants are said to have voiced concerns about competing in Saudi Arabia after Houthi attacks and incidents near strategic facilities; the report mentions Riyadh airport and Aramco-related sites. This account comes from the report, and it does not quote any statement from ASO on the matter.
According to unnamed people said to be familiar with the talks, the final decision depends on security, route and brand, but also on the schedule. Teams need to know as early as possible where the event will be held, so they can complete entries and prepare equipment.
What remains open
Whether Dakar 2027 will actually start in Europe and be held in Morocco has not been decided. Neither the host country nor the dates or number of stages are official. There are no further sources independently confirming the plan. The report contains no details on individual classes, such as the motorcycle category.
In passing, Actualidad Motor reports that Fernando Alonso drove a Prodrive prototype together with Marc Coma. According to the report, his return to Dakar is not confirmed.
Sources and image credits
- Actualidad Motor: “Dakar: prólogo en España o Portugal y ruta en Marruecos” (“El Dakar estudia un prólogo en la península y etapas en Marruecos”), 20 October 2026, actualidadmotor.com
- Photo 1: Toyota Hilux in sand dunes, archive photo; photographer not named; original source: Actualidad Motor; date taken unknown; licence not specified
- Photo 2: Ford Raptor in sand dunes, archive photo; photographer not named; original source: Actualidad Motor; date taken unknown; licence not specified