Organizers of the Dakar Rally have unveiled the full route for the 2027 edition, confirming what will be the longest and most sand‑focused Saudi Arabian Dakar to date. The 49th running of the event — and the eighth since the rally moved to Saudi Arabia — will cover 5,320 timed kilometers, the highest special‑stage total of the Saudi era and the first time the event has surpassed the symbolic 5,000‑kilometer mark since it moved there.

The rally will run January 1–15 in a giant loop beginning and ending in King Abdullah Economic City on the Red Sea, with organizers emphasizing not only the sheer distance but also a level of terrain variety that surpasses previous benchmarks. All of it adds up to a constantly shifting mix of dunes, valleys, and technical sectors designed to keep competitors off‑balance from day to day.

The 2027 route introduces three entirely new stages and a significantly higher proportion of sand in all its forms, reducing the amount of rocky terrain that has shaped recent editions. Riders and crews can expect daily changes in scenery and technical demands, with several stages featuring multiple terrain transitions within a single special. The event will again include a refuge bivouac night and a traditional marathon stage, reinforcing the endurance‑focused character of the rally. This time, the second marathon arrives late in the race, a twist that top competitors believe will increase the strategic pressure and physical toll in the final days.

The full stage layout shows a grueling pace across the country, beginning with a short prologue in King Abdullah Economic City before heading north along the Red Sea to Yanbu and AlUla, then cutting inland toward Ha’il for a pair of stages. From there, the route pushes south through Al Duwadimi and into the first marathon at a remote refuge bivouac. After emerging from the marathon, the rally continues to Bisha for the rest day and a series of long specials looping through Wadi Ad‑Dawasir and back. The second marathon stage begins as the rally leaves Bisha for Al Bahah, followed by a final long transfer back to the Red Sea for the closing stage in King Abdullah Economic City.

Competitors attending the route presentation noted both the scale and character of the 2027 edition. Reigning motorcycle champion Luciano Benavides welcomed the longer distance and the heavy sand content:

“It will be a longer Dakar and I really like that, because it means the best-trained riders, both physically and mentally, will be in better shape at the end, and I like that. As a rider, I prefer long days. I also like the format with two marathon stages, and having the second marathon at the end of the race will make it even more interesting. There will be less information, less strategy, which can make the race even more exciting. It will be a great edition, and with this longer route, with more sand, I’m motivated to return to Saudi Arabia and defend my title, knowing that this race isn’t decided until the very last kilometer.”

Others pointed to the technical challenges that remain, including puncture‑prone rocky sections and the need to manage machines through two marathon stages. Across categories, the sentiment was consistent: the 2027 Dakar is expected to be long, varied, and unforgiving, with the potential for major swings in the standings until the final kilometers.

The event will again serve as the launch point for several Dakar‑related programs, including the opening of entries for both the main rally and the Dakar Classic. Organizers also announced updates to the Classic regulations aimed at improving parity among historic vehicles, along with a new selection cycle for the Saudi Next Gen academy, which continues to develop local talent for future Dakar participation. The Dakar Future Mission 1000 program will return with a revised format designed to push innovative, low‑emission vehicles toward greater performance and competitiveness.

Photos by Honda Racing and A.S.O/C.Lopez