Riyadh Racing Season Returns With SAR236M Prize Pool

The 2026–2027 Riyadh Racing Season will run from 16 October 2026 to 17 April 2027 at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in الرياض, featuring a total prize pool exceeding SAR236.3 million — one of the richest editions to date.

The six-month calendar includes 50 race days, held generally every Friday and Saturday, with 69 races in total. Of the overall prize money, SAR197.8 million is allocated to the season's major cups.

New series and headline events

Among this season's additions is the new Riyadh Crown Series, comprising three legs for locally bred colts, geldings, and fillies, with total prize money of SAR6 million. The season also builds toward Saudi Cup Weekend, scheduled for 5–6 February 2027, headlined by the Saudi Cup and its US$20 million purse.

Several major cups have seen their purses raised. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup rises to SAR2 million (from SAR1.5 million), and the Crown Prince Cup to SAR1.5 million (from SAR1 million). The King Saud Cup and King Faisal Cup now carry SAR1 million each, while the Prince Naif Cup and Prince Sultan Cup rise to SAR800,000 each. The King Abdulaziz Racetrack Champion increases to SAR500,000, alongside the Princess Noura bint Abdulrahman bin Faisal Cup at SAR300,000 and the Riyadh Sword for imported mares at SAR1.537 million.

For other races, the entry fee is set at 0.1% of the race's total prize money and is non-refundable. Ticket prices for the 2026–2027 season have not yet been officially published, with sales expected to list prices separately for each race day.

For residents and visitors, the season offers a marquee winter sporting fixture in الرياض. No Absher, Muqeem, Qiwa, Najiz, Nafath, or Tawakkalna procedure applies to attending — full programme details, race rules, and ticket announcements will be available through the official channels.

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