The UAE is preparing to spotlight one of its most iconic traditional sports – camel racing—with the launch of the inaugural Al Ain Camel Racing Festival 2025. HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan directs the festival, which runs from 4 July to 9 October 2025 at the Rawda Camel Racetrack in Al Ain.
Beyond competition, the event reconnects youth with their roots and highlights the UAE’s cultural preservation. With 605 scheduled races and impressive prize funds, it’s a milestone moment that brings heritage and modernity together.
Under the directives of the UAE President and the patronage of Hazza bin Zayed, the Presidential Camels and Camel Racing Affairs Centre has organised the Al Ain Camel Racing Festival, from 4 July – 9 October 2025, at Al Rawda Camel Racetrack in Al Ain Region. pic.twitter.com/AgbWGzblJ5
— ???? ?????? ???????? (@ADMediaOffice) June 16, 2025
Celebrating the Spirit of the Nation
Reimagining a Time-Honoured Sport
Camel racing in the UAE is deeply symbolic, tracing its origins to Bedouin traditions and the desert way of life. But rather than staying confined to the past, the sport is being revitalised for the future. The festival—organised by the Presidential Camels and Camel Racing Affairs Centre in collaboration with the Camel Racing Association—represents a significant step in national efforts to elevate traditional sports to a professional level.
By structuring camel racing into a competitive, spectator-friendly event, the UAE honors heritage and engages diverse audiences.
A Festival of Endurance, Skill and Celebration
Races Designed to Thrill
The festival will unfold across three main preliminary rounds, culminating in a grand finale in early October. Each race will test the endurance and speed of the competing camels, with categories tailored for different breeds and age groups.
Generous Rewards to Honour Dedication
This isn’t just a show—it’s a high-stakes competition. With substantial cash prizes allocated across the entire festival, participants including camel owners, trainers and riders are set to receive due recognition for their hard work and long-standing dedication to the sport.
Community, Culture, and Connection
More Than Just a Sport
While the races are the main attraction, the Al Ain Camel Racing Festival 2025 also aims to foster a broader cultural experience. Expect a vibrant celebration of Emirati identity through side events, traditional food stalls, family-friendly activities, and exhibitions that highlight the significance of camels in Arab history.
It’s the perfect opportunity for residents across the UAE—both nationals and long-term expatriates—to explore and engage with a key part of the country’s cultural tapestry. The event will establish itself as a new seasonal fixture on the UAE’s social calendar, reinforcing national pride and unity.
A Festival to Mark on Your Calendar
What Visitors Can Expect
Whether you’re into heritage, sightseeing, or family outings, the festival offers something for all.
- Free access to preliminary events at Rawda Camel Racetrack (confirmed schedule to be announced).
- Immersive local experiences through food, crafts and interactive exhibits.
- A chance to witness camel racing like never before—with heightened production quality, better viewing facilities, and extensive media coverage.
Events like the Al Ain Camel Racing Festival are more than just entertainment. They serve as national symbols—highlighting the country’s deep connection to its past while pushing traditions forward into new formats. As the UAE continues its journey toward innovation and global influence, moments like these ensure that its roots remain strong and celebrated.
It’s a timely reminder that progress doesn’t mean forgetting the past—it means elevating it.
The Al Ain Camel Racing Festival 2025 is not just a debut—it’s a declaration. A declaration that tradition matters. That sport can be a vehicle for heritage. That the UAE’s vision of the future includes space for its past.
With 605 thrilling races, large-scale community involvement, and cultural immersion, this event is shaping up to be one of the highlights of the year. Whether you’re an Emirati embracing your heritage or an expat wanting to understand more about the UAE’s soul, this festival offers something rare—authenticity, excitement, and a sense of belonging.
Read More:
- UAE launches phase two of Zero Bureaucracy Programme – Social Kandura
- Dubai’s RTA Reduces Vehicle Licensing Services by 74% in Major Digital Shift – Social Kandura
For more updates on UAE’s most exciting cultural events, traditions, and local news, follow Social Kandura and never miss what’s happening across the Emirates.
