Under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Ain Region, the 2nd Al Ain Camel Racing Festival will take place from 3 July to 9 October 2026 at Al Rawda Camel Racetrack 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.
The festival will feature three preliminary rounds taking place in July, August, and September 2026, culminating in the final competitions in early October, during which the festival’s top-performing camels and distinguished participants will be recognised.
Consequently, the event extends Al Ain’s cultural calendar while reinforcing the role of camel racing in the UAE’s heritage landscape. In addition, the programme reflects the continued importance of traditional sporting practices as expressions of identity and community memory.
The festival programme also includes 605 races across various camel age categories, including Fattameen, Haqayeq, Laqaya, Itha’a, Thanaya, Houl, and Zomool. All races will take place in the morning over varying distances, reflecting the technical progression and competitive structure adopted in camel racing.
Leadership Emphasises Preservation of National Heritage
His Excellency Sheikh Sultan bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, Advisor to the UAE President and Chairman of the Camel Racing Association, expressed his pride in the launch of the second edition of the festival, praising the leadership’s support for the authentic national heritage event and the generous patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
His Excellency affirmed that the festival has become a strategic milestone in the development of camel racing in the UAE, given its contribution to enhancing the participation of camel owners, particularly young people, in this vital heritage sector, thereby ensuring the sustainability of Emirati heritage and perpetuating its legacy for future generations.
Moreover, the event represents a broader effort to safeguard intangible cultural traditions and maintain connections between generations. Therefore, the festival contributes to the preservation of customs, ceremonial practices, and community values associated with camel racing across the region.
Cultural Legacy Continues to Shape the Festival’s Growth
The first edition of Al Ain Camel Racing Festival achieved significant success in terms of local and regional participation and organisational excellence. It also contributed to elevating the prominence of camel racing as integral to the UAE’s cultural and sporting heritage, reinforcing the value of preserving this important component of the nation’s heritage while enabling younger generations to learn about the sport and participate in its competitions and events.
As a result, the second edition builds on that foundation while further strengthening Al Ain’s position as a centre for heritage events and traditional culture. Furthermore, the festival highlights how long-standing customs continue to influence contemporary cultural programming and public engagement in the UAE.
Running from July through October 2026, the Al Ain Camel Racing Festival brings together competition, tradition, and cultural continuity in a programme dedicated to preserving one of the country’s most enduring heritage practices.