Taif Camel Festival 2026: 248 Races, Free Entry

The historic Taif Camel Racing Track has kicked off the first trophy races of the eighth Crown Prince Camel Festival 2026, one of the largest events on the Kingdom's camel racing calendar. The festival runs from 3 to 13 September 2026 at the Taif Camel Racing Track (Taif Camel Square), with free general admission for visitors.

This year's edition features 248 races and total prize money exceeding SAR 50 million, reflecting the growing scale of the competition and its appeal to participants and fans alike. The concluding session's opening trophy races include six events with first-place prizes ranging from SAR 400,000 to SAR 700,000.

General morning and evening races each carry SAR 90,000, distributed among the top 10 finishers, giving a wide field of competitors the chance to share in the rewards throughout the festival's run.

The 2026 edition also introduces several firsts. A new Crown Prince Camel Festival Cup, open exclusively to Saudi participants, has been added with a prize of SAR 500,000. Organizers have also launched Mazayen competitions for the first time this year, alongside new Arab rounds open to non-Gulf Arab federations, broadening the event's regional reach.

Why it matters

With free entry and a packed schedule of races over 11 days, the festival offers families, residents, and visitors in the Taif region an accessible way to experience one of Saudi Arabia's most cherished heritage sports. The addition of Saudi-only and wider Arab competitions signals continued investment in camel racing as both a cultural tradition and a growing sporting attraction.

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