THE FOUNDING EVENTS RETURN TO THEIR TRADITIONAL SLOTS
The 49th edition of the Dakar, the championship’s traditional curtain-raiser since 2022, will once again set the tone from 1 to 15 January as it returns to Saudi Arabia for its eighth edition.
The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge regains its place as the second round of the season. Its 36th edition will take place in the United Arab Emirates from 21 to 26 March.
The Rallye OLA Energie du Maroc will once again serve as the championship finale, from 24 to 29 October, marking its 28th edition.
SOUTH AFRICA MAKES ITS RETURN
The South African Safari Rally takes over from the Desafío Ruta 40 YPF in Argentina, continuing the alternation between the two events. The second edition of the South African rally returns to the heart of the calendar, taking place from 14 to 19 June. Together with the championship finale in Morocco, it gives Africa equal representation with Asia, with two rounds on each continent, as was the case in 2025.
The bp Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal, the other event created specifically for the championship, secures its place on the calendar for a fourth consecutive year. The European round will be held as the fourth event of the season, from 21 to 26 September.
A SENSE OF TIMING
By remaining in the Middle East after the Dakar with the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, the calendar allows for an efficient and cost-effective overland logistical transfer. Scheduling the Abu Dhabi event more than two months after the Dakar gives competitors and teams valuable recovery time following the most demanding race of the year.
The South African Safari Rally, held seven weeks after the second round, sits naturally on the maritime route to Europe, where the bp Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal will take place three months after the South African event.
Four weeks separate the European round from the championship finale in Morocco—more than double the gap in 2025. Finally, by concluding at the end of October, the championship leaves two full months before the next major appointment: the 2028 Dakar.
While attention is already turning towards next season, the outcome of the current campaign will first be decided at the Rallye OLA Energie du Maroc, from 28 September to 3 October, and the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, from 22 to 27 November. The rally-raid odyssey continues—see you in a few weeks for the next chapter!
David Castera, Motorsport Director at Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O., promoter of the FIA-FIM World Rally-Raid Championship):
"The 2027 calendar offers a strong line-up, bringing together the rally-raid discipline’s heavyweight events alongside the two rallies created specifically for the championship, which have now become firmly established fixtures. The expertise of their organisers ensures the highest sporting standards while also providing the capacity to welcome more competitors. Improving the championship’s accessibility has been a key focus. Although the sequence of events returns to a more traditional order, it does so with an entirely new rhythm. The additional gaps between rounds will help teams and competitors reduce costs and integrate their rally-raid programmes more easily into their overall racing schedules. Together, these two factors should help maintain the championship’s upward trajectory in terms of participation."
President of the FIA, H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem :
“The FIA World Rally-Raid Championship is going from strength to strength, welcoming increasing numbers of fans, new manufacturers, and competitors to races around the world. From the sands of Abu Dhabi and Dakar to the challenging terrain of Morocco and Portugal, this year’s calendar also marks the return of the iconic South African Safari Rally, following a successful debut in 2025. The Championship is a unique challenge in global motorsport and I look forward to another exciting year of rallying ahead.”
Jorge Viegas, FIM President:
“The FIM is pleased to confirm the 2027 FIM World Rally-Raid Championship calendar, which brings together five high-level events that will start in early January and conclude in late October next year. Beginning with the legendary Dakar Rally and concluding in Morocco, the championship will provide competitors with another demanding and exciting journey across three continents. The FIM is delighted to welcome the South African Safari Rally back to the calendar after a one-year absence. The success of its inaugural edition demonstrated the passion for the series in the region and confirmed its place as a valuable addition to the championship. It is also great to see the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge and the Rallye OLA Energy du Maroc return to their traditional dates in the calendar, providing greater stability for all stakeholders. On behalf of the FIM, I would like to thank our promoter, event organisers, national federations, manufacturers, partners and everyone involved in delivering this world-class championship. We look forward to another memorable season of competition and wish all competitors every success in their pursuit of the 2027 FIM World Rally-Raid Championship titles.”
