Dakar Rally 2027 in Morocco: Dates, Route and Spectator Guide
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| Proposed dates | 9 to 23 January 2027, subject to FIA World Motor Sport Council approval |
|---|---|
| Start | Loulé-Faro in Portugal's Algarve, with the prologue and first stage |
| Morocco | Eleven stages, with a rest day in Agadir |
| Finish | Marrakech |
| Distance | 7,824 km in total, including 4,341 km of timed special stages |
| Not yet published | Spectator areas, daily timings, bivouac access and the Marrakech finish venue |
The 2027 Dakar Rally starts in Portugal and spends most of its route in Morocco, finishing in Marrakech. The organiser, Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O.), has proposed 9 to 23 January 2027, subject to approval by the FIA World Motor Sport Council. This guide covers what has been announced, what is still to come and how to plan a trip around the rally.
For the announcement itself, read our Dakar 2027 news report.
Confirmed so far and still to come
| Announced on 30 October 2026 | Not yet published |
|---|---|
| Proposed dates of 9 to 23 January 2027, awaiting FIA approval | Final approved dates |
| Prologue and first stage in Portugal, then eleven stages in Morocco | Detailed daily schedule and timings |
| Overnight crossing to Nador for competitors | Designated spectator areas and access routes |
| Rest day in Agadir | Exact rest-day date and public access to the bivouac |
| Finish in Marrakech | Finish venue and podium arrangements |
| 7,824 km in total, 4,341 km of timed special stages | Any traffic restrictions or road closures |
The 2027 edition moved from Saudi Arabia as an exceptional arrangement, and the organiser plans to return there in 2028. Some older organiser pages and third-party calendars still show the earlier Saudi programme. Check that any schedule refers to the Portugal–Morocco event before relying on it.
The announced route
The rally opens at Loulé-Faro in the Algarve with a prologue and the first stage. Competitors then cross overnight to Nador, arriving on 11 January, and transfer to a bivouac at Bouarfa.
From there, the route runs south via Zagora to Agadir, which hosts the rest day. It continues through Smara towards Dakhla, then turns north to finish in Marrakech.
A bivouac is the rally’s travelling camp, where teams sleep and service their vehicles. A special stage is the timed section where competitors race. A liaison or transfer links stages and bivouacs, often on public roads, where competitors follow normal traffic rules. A town’s name on the route shows where the rally is based or passing. It does not tell you where the public can watch.
Following the rally as a spectator
Once the organiser publishes spectator information, look for:
- Designated spectator areas for each stage, with access routes and recommended arrival times
- Daily timings for the first competitors in each category
- Bivouac and rest-day access, including whether the Agadir camp opens to visitors
- Finish and podium arrangements in Marrakech
Until those arrangements are published, treat route towns as bases, not viewing points. Special stages often run through remote terrain, so a good viewing area can be a long way from the town named in the stage title.
If you cannot reach a stage, the organiser’s website and official channels publish results, classifications and race news each day.
The 30 October announcement says nothing about tickets. Before paying a tour operator or package seller for “Dakar access”, ask exactly what is included and how it relates to the organiser’s published spectator arrangements.
Planning a trip around the rally
Agadir and Marrakech are the practical bases: both have international airports, a wide choice of accommodation and plenty to do on days without racing. See our Agadir guide and Marrakech guide.
- Book flexibly. The dates await approval, and the detailed schedule will decide which days are worth being in each place. Choose refundable rates or free cancellation until both are confirmed.
- Pack for January. Days can be mild in the south and on the coast, while nights in the desert and mountains are cold. Our best time to visit guide covers winter conditions.
- Build in rest days of your own. The stages cover very long distances, and trying to see several of them by road means long drives on consecutive days.
Getting around
The route crosses Morocco from the Mediterranean coast to the far south, so you will not be able to follow it in a few short hops. Pick one or two areas and plan travel between them.
- Flying: Nador, Agadir, Marrakech and Dakhla all have airports. Compare domestic connections for long north–south journeys rather than assuming a road trip is quicker.
- Driving: a rental car gives the most flexibility around Agadir and Marrakech. For rural and desert roads, allow plenty of time and avoid driving after dark. Our getting around guide compares trains, buses and taxis.
- Bringing your own car: the rally’s crossing to Nador is for competitors. If you are driving from Europe, book your own ferry; our Spain–Morocco ferry guide covers the routes and vehicle formalities.
Around stage towns, expect busier roads and possible temporary restrictions. A rally itinerary is not a road-closure timetable, and navigation apps may not show local restrictions, so check local traffic notices on the day.
Safety and restricted areas
Rally vehicles are fast, heavy and raise thick dust, and drivers may not see spectators.
- Stand only in designated or clearly safe areas, well back from the track, and never on the outside of a bend or in a vehicle’s line of travel.
- Follow marshals, police and gendarmerie instructions, and respect any area marked as closed to the public.
- Never drive onto a special stage or follow competitors along it.
- Keep access roads clear for emergency and organisation vehicles.
- In remote areas, carry water, food, warm clothing and a charged phone, and tell someone where you are going.
- Drones need prior authorisation in Morocco; our photography guide explains the rules before you pack one.
Official updates
The organiser publishes route updates, the detailed schedule and any spectator information on the official Dakar website. Start from the 30 October 2026 announcement and check for later notices before you travel, particularly after the FIA World Motor Sport Council decides on the dates.
FAQs
When is the 2027 Dakar Rally?
The organiser has proposed 9 to 23 January 2027. The dates are subject to approval by the FIA World Motor Sport Council.
Where does the 2027 Dakar finish?
In Marrakech. The finish venue has not yet been announced.
When is the rest day in Agadir?
The organiser has confirmed Agadir as the rest-day location. Check the detailed schedule for the exact date.
Can the public visit the bivouac?
The 30 October announcement does not say. Wait for the organiser’s spectator information before planning a visit to any bivouac, including Agadir’s.
Is the Dakar still in Saudi Arabia?
The 2027 edition moves to Portugal and Morocco as an exceptional arrangement. The organiser plans to return to Saudi Arabia for the 50th edition in 2028.
Practical Tips
- Book refundable accommodation until the dates are approved.
- Watch only from areas the organiser designates, and follow marshals' instructions.
- Never drive onto a rally track or follow competitors along it.
- Check that any schedule you use is for the Portugal–Morocco edition, not the earlier Saudi plan.
Related Guides
Event details follow the organiser's announcement of 30 October 2026. The dates await FIA World Motor Sport Council approval, and spectator arrangements had not been published when this guide was reviewed.