Camel racing enthusiasts in Saudi Arabia and around the world are turning their attention to the historic Taif racecourse on Tuesday, where the seventh edition of the Crown Prince Camel Festival, organized by the Saudi Camel Federation, will kick off. This event is one of the most prominent camel festivals in the world, and witnesses widespread participation from racers and owners from across the Kingdom and abroad.
Crown Prince Camel Festival in Taif
The festival begins with 92 rounds for the "Haqeeq" category, with competitors competing over three days, including morning and evening sessions. During these sessions, the participating camels cover a total distance of 184 kilometers, with each round lasting 2 kilometers. The festival concludes on the third day with the Crown Prince Camel Festival Cup rounds for the "Haqeeq" category, held in the evening.
Comprehensive preparations to host the festival
The festival's organizing committee has completed all preparations for the Taif Camel Racecourse, ready to welcome participants and spectators at one of the Kingdom's most important sporting and heritage events. The historic racecourse has been renovated and maintained to the highest international standards. It features a 10-kilometer track consisting of six paved lanes. Three of these lanes are indoor, while the two outdoor lanes are reserved for camel owners, and one lane is reserved for media professionals and TV broadcasters.
One of the most notable technical features is the track lighting at Taif Arena, which is powered by solar energy during the festival, reflecting the festival's commitment to environmental sustainability.
Crown Prince Camel Festival
Since its launch in 2018, the Crown Prince Camel Festival has become a prominent annual event in the Kingdom's heritage and sporting calendar. The festival aims to promote camel heritage in Saudi culture and attracts a growing audience from within and outside the Kingdom. The festival also contributes to economic and developmental returns through parallel events that support popular heritage and help consolidate the Kingdom's image as a heritage hub.
Festival Awards and Achievements
The festival has achieved numerous distinguished accomplishments in its previous editions, winning five local and international awards, including four Guinness World Records. The most notable of these awards came in 5, when the festival won two: the largest number of participating camels in the world and the largest illuminated camel model. In 4, it received a similar award, in addition to the 2018 Makkah Economic Excellence Award, in recognition of its qualitative contributions to stimulating economic and cultural activity linked to heritage.
Concluding the report, the Saudi Camel Racing Federation affirmed that the seventh edition of the festival will continue to offer the best performances, further strengthening its position as one of the most important camel racing festivals in the world.
