Taif to Host Arab Rounds at 2026 Camel Festival

Saudi camel sports will welcome Arab competitors for the first time in a dedicated set of rounds at the 2026 Crown Prince Camel Festival, set to run from September 3 to 13, 2026, at Taif Camel Square. The eighth edition of the event will bring together riders from across the region in one of the Kingdom's most prominent camel racing gatherings.

For the Arab rounds, non-Gulf Arab member federations have been invited to take part. The competition will feature both human riders and robotic riders across a range of categories and racing distances, blending the sport's deep-rooted heritage with the technology now widely used in modern camel racing.

The festival's prize money for 2026 is reported to exceed SAR 50 million, reflecting the growing scale of camel sports in the Kingdom and the effort to draw wider regional participation.

Why it matters

Camel racing holds a special place in Saudi and Gulf culture, and the addition of Arab rounds widens the festival's reach beyond the region. For families, visitors, and fans of traditional sports, the ten-day event in Taif offers a chance to experience one of the country's signature seasonal gatherings.

The 2026 dates give residents and expats in the Kingdom ample time to plan a visit to Taif, a city already popular for its mild climate and mountain scenery. Saudi Living will share further details as the festival draws closer.

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