2027 World Rally-Raid Championship calendar confirmed with revised schedule

The FIM and FIA have confirmed the 2027 World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) calendar, with the five-round series returning in a mostly familiar fashion but adopting a revised timetable.

The championship will once again begin with the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia before heading to the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, followed by Portugal, South Africa, and Morocco to complete the season.

One notable change sees the South African Safari Rally return after dropping off the 2026 calendar as part of the championship's rotation system. It replaces Argentina's Desafío Ruta 40, restoring Africa to two rounds alongside Morocco, while Asia also retains two events through Dakar and Abu Dhabi. Portugal remains the championship's sole European stop.

The Dakar Rally remains the traditional season opener from January 1-15, before the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge returns to its familiar March slot from March 21-26. The South African Safari Rally follows from June 14-19, with the bp Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal taking place on September 21-26. The championship concludes with the Rallye OLA Energie du Maroc from October 24-29.

According to series promoter Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), the new programme has been designed to reduce costs and relax logistical burdens by creating more practical transport windows while allowing competitors to fit rally-raid commitments around other racing programmes.

David Castera, Motorsport Director at ASO, said: "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."

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem added: "The 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.”

Before attention turns to 2027, however, the 2026 championship remains to be decided. This year's title contention continues with the Rallye OLA Energie du Maroc from September 28 to October 3, before the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge hosts the final round from November 22-27.

2027 FIM World Rally-Raid Championship calendar