The Saudi Camel Racing Federation has announced the schedule for the fifth edition of the Ministry of Sports Camel Racing Cup, which will be held for the first time at the historic Janadriyah Camel Racing Track in Riyadh. The competition is scheduled to take place from December 1st to 5th, making it a key event in the Federation's 2025/2026 sports season calendar.
Historical background and cultural significance
Camel racing is an integral part of the rich cultural heritage of Saudi Arabia and the Arabian Peninsula. This sport is not merely a competition, but a revival of the legacy of ancestors who relied on camels, or the "ships of the desert," for their lives and travels. Over time, this practice has evolved into an organized sport with broad official and popular support, aiming to preserve and promote this heritage among new generations. It also serves as an important social and economic gathering place for camel owners and trainers from across the Kingdom and the Gulf region.
A qualitative leap for the tournament and its expected impact
Moving the championship to the Janadriyah field is a significant strategic step, as Janadriyah is a national symbol of heritage and culture in the Kingdom. This decision enhances the championship's prestige and increases its media and public appeal. The event is expected to have a major positive impact both locally and regionally. Locally, the championship will stimulate economic activity in the capital, Riyadh, by attracting thousands of participants and visitors, thus positively impacting the hospitality, transportation, and service sectors. Regionally, this championship reinforces the Kingdom's position as a leading destination for camel racing worldwide, attracting the best camels and owners from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries to participate in its competitive events.
Details of the fifth edition and the prizes
This edition, the eighth championship of the current sporting season, follows a series of successful races such as the Crown Prince Camel Festival and the National Day Race. After the previous four editions were held at the Al-Sayh racecourse in Al-Ahsa Governorate, with a total participation of 16,130 camels, the championship moves to the capital of heritage to begin a new chapter. The schedule reveals 116 races to be held over five days, in which camels will compete for substantial cash prizes totaling over 10 million riyals, including 20 main races dedicated to the championship cups.
Competition schedule and participating categories
The races were distributed over the five days of the championship to include all approved age categories for camels, and the schedule was as follows:
- Day 1 (December 1): 36 races dedicated to the “Haqayiq” category.
- Day 2 (December 2): 30 races for the “Laqaya” category.
- Day 3 (December 3): 24 rounds for the “Jathaa” category.
- Day 4 (December 4): 14 rounds for the “Thanaia” category.
- The fifth and final day (December 5): 12 rounds dedicated to the major categories “Al-Hayl” and “Al-Zamoul”.
The Saudi Camel Racing Federation confirmed that it is currently putting the final touches on all the preparations and arrangements at the Janadriyah field to ensure the organization of an exceptional edition befitting the importance of the event and the status of camel racing in the Kingdom.
