The organizing committee for the third edition of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Camel Festival in 2026 announced the commencement of work by the committee responsible for installing electronic chips on participating camels, starting tomorrow, Monday, January 19, at the historic Janadriyah Camel Racing Track in Riyadh. This step is a crucial organizational procedure preceding the official start of the festival's competitions, scheduled for Friday, January 23, 2026.
The installation of electronic chips is a cornerstone of modern camel racing, aiming to ensure transparency and fairness in competitions and to accurately document the data of participating camels, including their lineage and owners. This facilitates inspection and verification processes before and during races. These procedures reflect the high level of professionalism within the camel racing sector in Saudi Arabia and the commitment of organizers to implementing the highest international standards in managing heritage sporting events.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Camel Festival holds immense importance both locally and internationally, boasting substantial prize money exceeding 75 million riyals, making it one of the world's most prestigious and valuable camel festivals. Organizing this event reflects the growing attention the wise leadership is giving to the camel sector, recognizing it as an authentic cultural heritage and an integral part of Saudi national identity, and aligns with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which seeks to promote national heritage and pass it on to future generations.
Looking at the festival's history, the figures indicate steady growth reflecting the success of development plans. The first edition, held in 2024, witnessed wide participation, exceeding 2,000 owners and 6,869 camels from 13 countries. In the second edition in 2025, the numbers continued to rise, reaching 2,112 owners and 7,300 camels, with the geographical scope of participants expanding to include 16 countries, confirming the global standing the festival has attained as a major destination for camel owners and trainers from around the world.
The third edition (2026) is expected to witness record attendance and fierce competition, given the extensive preparations at the Janadriyah site, a prominent heritage landmark, as well as the continuous development of organizational and judging mechanisms. The festival's impact extends beyond the sporting aspect, encompassing economic and cultural benefits through stimulating buying and selling in camel markets, supporting heritage tourism, and boosting economic activity related to the camel sector and its associated equipment.
