Crown Prince Camel Festival Trophy Races Begin Saturday

The first trophy races of the eighth Crown Prince Camel Festival 2026 are set to begin on Saturday, 5 September 2026, at the historic Taif Camel Racing Track in Taif. The races form part of a wide-ranging 11-day festival running from 3 to 13 September 2026.

The 2026 edition features 248 races across several categories, including Haqayiq, Laqaya, Jatha'a, Thanaya, Heil, and Zamoul. Total prize money for the festival exceeds SAR 50 million, making it one of the season's largest camel racing events.

For the opening trophy competitions, first-place prizes in the six trophy races reach up to SAR 700,000. Each general morning and evening race carries a prize of SAR 90,000 shared among the top 10 finishers, while the six trophy races reward the top five. Total prize money for the concluding evening session is SAR 6.1 million.

A new element in 2026 is the Saudi-only "Crown Prince Camel Festival Cup," which awards SAR 500,000 to the Saudi competitor who accumulates the most points across designated races. Opening-day programs also include Haqayiq category races over 2 km, with large fields exceeding 90 races.

Why it matters

Camel racing remains a cherished part of Saudi heritage, and the festival draws participants and visitors from across the Kingdom to Taif. Spectator access, ticketing, and participation registration are handled through the event and camel racing organizers' dedicated channels. As of 2026, no specific ticket prices, parking fees, or public spectator charges have been published for the trophy races in Taif.

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