Al Ain Camel Racing Festival’s second edition reaches its final competitions from 3 to 8 October 2026.
Organisers have announced 150 races across the closing programme.
The Houl Open winner will receive AED 1 million and a sword.
Camels, culture and major prizes take centre stage at the festival’s second edition.
When you picture the UAE’s desert landscapes, camels wandering across golden dunes might spring to mind. This October, the second Al Ain Camel Racing Festival is heading into its final competitions, with races taking place at Al Rawda Camel Racetrack from 3 to 8 October 2026.
For anyone curious about UAE traditions, Al Ain Camel Racing Festival puts a longstanding part of Emirati life at the centre of the action, pairing competitive racing with a wider commitment to keeping local heritage alive.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Ain Region, the festival is organised by the Presidential Camels and Camel Racing Affairs Centre, under the supervision of the Camel Racing Association. Its second edition follows an inaugural event that attracted participation from across the UAE and the wider region.
This year’s programme was announced with 605 races across different camel age groups, with preliminary rounds scheduled throughout July, August and September. Those stages lead into October’s finale, giving the festival a season-long structure and putting months of competition behind the closing races. The wider programme includes races over varying distances, reflecting the different stages of the camels’ development.
Organisers have announced 150 races for the finals. Heritage races will open proceedings, followed by Haqayeq, Laqaya, Itha’a and Thanaya competitions, before Houl and Zomool conclude the programme. There are substantial rewards at stake, too. On the final day, the Houl Open winner will receive a sword and AED 1 million, while the Zomool Open winner will take home a rifle and AED 800,000.
Beyond the finishing line, the festival’s ambitions extend to the next generation. Encouraging younger camel owners to participate is central to its purpose, helping ensure that the knowledge and traditions associated with the sport continue to be passed on. For newcomers following the competition, that cultural connection is part of the appeal: a chance to understand why camel racing retains such a meaningful place in the UAE’s sporting calendar.
Where: Al Rawda Camel Racetrack, Al Rawda, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi
Contact: https://visitalain.ae