Al Ain Camel Racing Festival 2026: Race Schedule, Venue and Qualifying Round Details
This is second qualifying race in the Al Ain Camel Racing Festival 2026 will be held at the Al Rawdah Camel Racetrack in Al Ain, bringing together trainers, owners as well as racing fans from across the UAE and the Gulf region. The event continues to honor one of the nation’s most cherished traditional sports, while offering a competitive arena that will see hundreds of camels from different age groups.
What is the Al Ain Camel Racing Festival?
The festival is held under the direction of His Her Majesty Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and under the direction of His Her Royal Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the second edition of the festival will run through 3 July until 9 Oct 2026 at Al Rawdah Camel Racetrack in Al Ain.
The event is run through the Presidential Camels and Camel Racing Affairs Centre under the direction by the Camel Racing Association and demonstrates the UAE’s dedication to safeguarding its rich heritage of culture.
Second Qualifying Round Now in Progress
The festival is comprised of three rounds of qualifying that are held in the months of July, August and September which are followed by the grand finals which take place in October.
The current two-day qualifying event is a fierce competition as camel owners attempt to qualify to compete in the final championship. The morning races draw large numbers of participants from both the UAE and GCC nations, showing skilled athletes and new talents.
| Festival Dates | 3 July – 9 October 2026 |
| Race Timings | Daily from 6:30 AM to 7:00 AM |
| Venue | Al Rawda Camel Racetrack, Al Ain |
| Organiser | Presidential Camel Racing Center |
| Admission | Free for all visitors |
| Festival Duration | More than three months of camel racing competitions |
| Race Categories | Seven camel age-group categories |
| Total Races | Over 605 races scheduled throughout the festival |
| Distance from Major UAE Cities | Around 160 km from major cities such as Abu Dhabi and Dubai. |
Camel Racing Categories & Age
It is the Al Ain camel race 2026 includes races for the following which include:
- Fattameen: Young 1-year-old camels
- Haqaiq: a group of intermediate age groups
- Laqaya: 3 years old camels
- Itha’a: Category of competition
- Thanaya: between 4 and 5 years old camels
- Houl: Mature racing camels
- Zomool: Camels that are 6 years old or more
Al Ain Camel Racing Festival TimeTable
| Date | Category / Activity | Details |
| 31 July – 1 August | Futtamin Competitions | Opening races for the Futtamin category. |
| 2 – 3 August | Haqayeq Races | Haqayeq camels compete in the second set of races. |
| 4 – 5 August | Lagayah Races | Lagayah category races take place over two days. |
| 6 – 7 August | Yathaa Races | Yathaa category competitions are scheduled across two days. |
| 08-Aug | Thanaya Competitions | Thanaya category races are held before the festival finale. |
| 09-Aug | Houl and Zamoul Races | The festival concludes with the Houl and Zamoul categories. |
| Until 8 August | Registration Period | Registration for all categories remains open through the Smart Al Merkadh platform. |
| One Day Before Each Race | Registration Deadline | Entries for each category close one day before its scheduled race. |
| Daily (8:00 AM – 6:00 PM) | Registration Hours | Participants can submit entries every day between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM. |
How to reach Al Rawda Camel Racetrack?
By Car or Taxi:
Drive towards the Al Rawda district in the Al Ain region, where the racetrack is located. The venue is easily accessible via local roads and is widely recognized as Midan Al Rawda. If you’re travelling from central Al Ain, a taxi ride typically takes 20–25 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.
From Abu Dhabi or Dubai:
Travel to Al Ain via the main highways—E22 from Abu Dhabi or E66/E11 connecting to E22 from Dubai. Once you reach Al Ain, follow GPS navigation or local road signs to Al Rawda Camel Racetrack for a smooth journey.
What can you expect on 2nd Al Ain Camel Racing Festival?
Tourists can look forward to a mix of traditional Emirati tradition, a race-like camel racing and a lively environment. No matter if you’re coming on your first visit or returning for another season of racing The following are the highlights:
Experience authentic Emirati Culture
The race for camels has always been a fundamental element of Emirati lifestyle for many generations. The camel race of today Al Ain 2026 provides visitors with an unbeatable glimpse of Emirati tradition.
Contemporary Camel Racing
The excitement of high-speed camel racing that includes robotic jockeys in place of traditional jockeys, providing the welfare of animals while maintaining the competitive spirit of the sport.
Great Desert Photography
Opportunity The camel riding festival provides incredible photography opportunities, including magnificent camels strutting their stuff against breathtaking deserts, the traditional Emirati ambience and cultural displays early morning lighting during the golden hour and close-up images of jockeys who are robotic.
Cultural Immersion
Apart from racing visitors can also learn about the traditions of breeding camels and understand the importance in Camel racers in UAE culture, as well as learn about time-honored rituals.
Experience a family-friendly Atmosphere
The event will warmly welcome guests of all ages from all kinds of lives. Families can take part in the race in a comfortable and safe atmosphere.
Visitor Guide: Al Ain Camel Racing Festival 2026
Parking: Parking is readily accessible on Al Rawda Camel Racetrack, particularly during qualifying rounds. There may be a challenge finding parking during the finals week of championship races in October, therefore early arrival is highly recommended.
Dress Code: Wearing loose, light clothing, modest attire, well-fitting shoes with a closed-toe, comfortable fit, light-colored clothing, a cap or sunglasses are recommended for your trip to a camel race within Al Ain.
Tips for summer weather: Al Ain experiences extreme heat. Therefore, morning races are a great way to stay out of the hottest period during the time. Make sure to stay in shaded areas as often as feasible and drink plenty of water to avoid heat exhaustion.
Keep your skin protected from sun: Make sure you apply SPF 50+. You should apply at least every two hours, or longer to protect your skin. Wearing protective accessories, hats with wide brims and sunglasses with UV protection are highly recommended.
Photography: Early morning light creates soft golden hues ideal for taking Instagram-worthy pictures.
Binoculars: Use a compact binocular with 8x-10x magnification. It is ideal for racing viewing.
Final Thoughts
The Al Ain Camel Racing Festival 2026 continues to highlight the deep-rooted camel racing history while offering an exciting experience for competitors as well as spectators. While the 2nd qualifying race takes place in the Al Rawdah Camel Racetrack, the excitement is building before the championship finals that will take place in October. With a multitude of races, a strong local participation and a particular focus on the preservation of Emirati traditions, the event is still one of the country’s top traditional sporting events.
