The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations worldwide, has announced that the five-round 2027 FIA World Rally-Raid Championship calendar has been approved by e-vote of the World Motor Sport Council.

The championship will once again span three continents, bringing together some of rally-raid’s most established events alongside newer fixtures that have become an integral part of the series. The 49th edition of the Dakar Rally will begin the season in Saudi Arabia from 1 to 15 January, continuing its role as the championship’s traditional opening round.

Following a break of more than two months, the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge will return to its established position as the second round of the 2027 campaign. The event will take place in the United Arab Emirates from 21 to 26 March.

The championship will then travel to Africa for the return of the South African Safari Rally, which rejoins the calendar following a one-year absence. Its second edition will be held from 14 to 19 June, taking over from Argentina’s Desafío Ruta 40 as part of the continued alternation between the two events.

Competition will resume in Europe following the summer break, with the bp Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal retaining its place on the calendar for a fourth consecutive season. The event will take place from 21 to 26 September.

The campaign will conclude in Morocco, where the 28th Rallye du Maroc will host the championship finale from 24 to 29 October. The 2027 calendar has been structured to provide greater recovery and preparation time between events while supporting more efficient logistical arrangements for teams and competitors.

Remaining in the Middle East following the Dakar Rally will allow vehicles and equipment to be transferred overland to the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. The interval between the opening two rounds will also provide competitors with additional time to recover and prepare following the championship’s longest and most demanding event.

The South African Safari Rally will take place seven weeks after the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge and is positioned to align with the maritime transfer of equipment towards Europe. Three months will then separate the South African round from the bp Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal.

A four-week interval between Portugal and the season finale in Morocco will provide teams with more than double the preparation time available between the corresponding rounds in 2025. By concluding at the end of October, the championship will also leave two full months before the start of the 2028 Dakar Rally.

President of the FIA, H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, said: “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.”

David Castera, Motorsport Director of Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O.), said: “The 2027 calendar offers a strong line-up, bringing together rally-raid’s leading 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 wider competition schedules.

“Together, these factors should help maintain the championship’s upward trajectory in terms of participation.”