Dakar Rally to return to Portugal in 2027

The Dakar Rally will return to Portugal in January 2027, with the opening stage set to start in the Algarve before the race moves on to Morocco. The announcement brings one of motorsport’s best-known events back to the country after 20 years.

According to the organisers, the 49th edition will run from January 9 to 23 between Loulé-Faro and Marrakesh, subject to approval by the FIA World Motor Sport Council. The Algarve Stadium will host the start and serve as the main centre for technical and administrative checks over three days. The prologue is scheduled for January 9 and the first stage for the following day, before a sea crossing to Nador.

The organisers said the 2027 race was moved from Saudi Arabia because of the geopolitical situation in the Middle East, after what they described as recent developments in the kingdom. They said the event would return to Saudi Arabia in 2028 for its 50th edition.

Morocco will host the remaining 11 stages and the rest day, in Agadir. The full route will cover 7,824 kilometres, including 4,341 kilometres of timed sections. Organisers said 350 competitors have already entered the race.

The return comes 20 years after the last edition held on Portuguese territory and 19 years after the 2008 Lisbon-Dakar was cancelled on the eve of the start because of security threats in Mauritania.

Originally published at Eco.pt