DUBAI: Organized by the Dubai Camel Racing Club, Al-Marmoom Heritage Festival 2026 will reach its finale on Thursday, April 2 at Al-Marmoom Camel Racetrack when it brings together the region’s most elite stables.
Free to attend, the finale invites residents and visitors to engage with and learn about one of the UAE’s most historic sports, where centuries-old tradition meets modern performance, precision breeding and elite competition. With a total prize purse of $2.46 million, the competition’s final day is one of the most significant fixtures in the GCC camel racing calendar.
The finale will mark 12 consecutive race days and an extensive racing programme that comprised 333 races, with more than 6,000 camels from across the UAE and the wider Gulf region taking part.
Royal and presidential entries from across the region will take to the track, including camels from Hijn Al-Riyassa, Abu Dhabi, alongside leading stables such as Hijn Zabeel & Hijn Al-Asifa from Dubai, and Hijn Al-Shahaniya from Qatar.
The final program will feature the sport’s most prestigious categories, including the Golden Saddle for Arabian Purebred Male Camels (Local) and the Golden Khanjar for Arabian Purebred Female Camels (Local), each carrying a first prize of $136,000 alongside the Golden Rifle for Open Category Male Camels (Mixed/Crossbreed) with a top prize of $272,000 and the Golden Sword, known as the “Sword of the Emirates,” for Open Category Female Camels, awarding $544,000 to the winner.
Raced over 8 km, with winning times expected to fall under 13 minutes, the competition blends speed and strategy with longstanding traditions, including the ceremonial application of saffron paste to winning camels at the finish line.
Beyond the racing, the finale is designed as an immersive cultural experience. With free public access as well as free Big Bus viewing, spectators can follow the race alongside the track, watch the action from the grandstand and witness live trophy presentations as owners, trainers and connections are recognized.
