2027 DAKAR ROUTE: THE ART OF ILLUSION

The journey of exploration continues. The rally has covered tens of thousands of kilometres since it came to Saudi Arabia in 2020, but even this pales in comparison to the bountiful secrets of the biggest country in the Middle East, which would take forever to chart out. A cursory glance at the map could give the impression that the route of the 49th edition (the eighth in this part of the world) is a rather “modest” affair.

Yet a closer look reveals that the 2027 Dakar has more special mileage than any previous edition in Saudi Arabia, with a total of 5,320 km against the clock. To put that it into perspective, the closest the field had ever come to the symbolic 5,000 km barrier was in 2025, with 4,903 km on the menu. There is also more than meets the eye to the terrain, which will be more varied than ever.

As they make their way around a giant loop starting and ending in King Abdullah Economic City, the riders, drivers and crews will feast their eyes on the kaleidoscopic landscapes of each stage. In fact, there will even be changes of scenery —and, therefore, technical requirements— within stages. The ability to adapt to an environment in constant flux, a key asset in rally raids. Yet, above all, rally raids are the ultimate test of endurance. A night at the bivouac-refuge and a more conventional marathon stage will remind the whole caravan of the importance of keeping man and machine in good working order. On the technical front, the proportion of sand in all shapes and colours, much greater than last January, will come as a relief to those who start sweating at the mere mention of rocky terrain.

WELCOME TO KING ABDULLAH ECONOMIC CITY

The entire Dakar family will come together in the desert. Well, the edge of the desert, at least!
The first stone for King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) was laid exactly twenty years ago, marking the birth of a metropolis, a business hub and a major tourist destination built around one of the largest trading ports directly on the Red Sea. An XXL bivouac near the centre (with a sea view, of course!) will host the scrutineering and serve as the mustering point for competitors.