The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Camel Festival

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Camel Festival is an annual sporting event held at the Janadriyah Camel Race Track in Riyadh, organized by the Saudi Camel Federation.

The first edition of the festival took place from February 8 to February 18, 2024, with extensive participation from camel owners worldwide. More than 2,000 camel owners participated, with 6,869 camels from 13 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and the United States.

The festival features 224 races divided into various categories: Haqayeq (4 km), Laqaya (5 km), Jatha’a (6 km), Thanya (8 km), and Heil and Zamoul (8 km). It also includes camel races for men and women, with five races for men (5 km each) and one race for women (2 km). The total prize money exceeds 70 million SAR, making it one of the most prestigious camel racing events globally.

The second edition of the festival is scheduled to take place from January 27, 2025, for 10 days at the historic Janadriyah Camel Race Track in Riyadh, maintaining the same number of races and financial prizes.

The festival enjoys significant support from Saudi leadership, aiming to develop camel racing as a cultural and sporting heritage for future generations and enhance its global presence.