Riyadh, January 28, 2025 – The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Camel Festival 2025 is set to begin tomorrow at the iconic Al-Janadriyah Square in Riyadh, marking a significant milestone in Saudi Arabia’s efforts to celebrate and preserve its rich cultural heritage. This prestigious event, which is organized by the Saudi Camel Federation, promises to be a spectacular showcase of the ancient sport of camel racing, attracting participants from 15 countries and offering a total prize pool exceeding SAR 70 million.
This second edition of the festival is poised to surpass expectations, featuring a remarkable 225 races across a span of 1,266 kilometers. The festival will offer a series of thrilling competitions that highlight the beauty and speed of camels, a long-standing tradition in Saudi Arabia and the wider Arabian Peninsula. Among the key highlights is the Haqayeq category, which will kick off the event with 64 races, each covering a distance of 4 kilometers, contributing to a cumulative distance of 256 kilometers. The competitive spirit is expected to be fierce as camel owners and jockeys from around the world compete for both prestige and substantial rewards.
Under the leadership of Prince Fahad bin Jalawi bin Abdulaziz bin Musaed, President of the Saudi Camel Federation, all necessary preparations for the festival have been meticulously completed. Prince Fahad's vision for the event reflects a deep commitment to not only preserving the centuries-old tradition of camel racing but also ensuring that the sport evolves to meet international standards. This aligns with Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030, which seeks to position the Kingdom as a global leader in cultural preservation, sporting excellence, and tourism.
The festival’s carefully curated races, which include a variety of categories accredited by the Saudi Camel Federation, are set against the backdrop of the state-of-the-art facilities at Al-Janadriyah Square, a historic site that has hosted numerous cultural events. The Saudi Camel Federation’s role goes beyond organizing the festival; it is dedicated to regulating camel races, supporting camel owners, and fostering an environment that facilitates the growth of this important cultural activity. Furthermore, the Federation works tirelessly to ensure that all tracks are well-maintained and that participants have the necessary resources and infrastructure to compete at the highest level.
With its blend of tradition and innovation, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Camel Festival not only celebrates Saudi Arabia's heritage but also provides an exceptional platform for international collaboration in the world of camel racing. As the Kingdom continues to make strides in preserving its cultural identity while embracing modernity, this event stands as a testament to the power of sport in bridging cultures and fostering global connections. The festival’s anticipated success will undoubtedly reinforce Saudi Arabia's position as a cultural and sporting hub, with the world watching as history is made on the racetrack.
This year’s edition of the festival promises to be a historic occasion, one that will resonate deeply within the Kingdom and across the globe, solidifying the Camel Festival as a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia's cultural calendar and a key event in the international sporting landscape.