The eighth edition of the Crown Prince Camel Festival 2026 concluded on Saturday at the historic Taif racecourse, with 20 races held for the Al-Hail and Al-Zmoul categories, including four main races competing for the festival's sword and rifle trophies, and total prizes exceeding SAR 10.9 million.
The morning session featured 16 races over 6 kilometers, divided between general and open categories, with prizes worth SAR 1.3 million, while the evening session was dedicated to the four final races. Competitors in the Zmoul general and open races vied for the festival's rifle, while participants in the Hail general and open races competed for the sword, with the first-place winner in each Hail race receiving SAR 1.5 million.
The eighth edition hosted 248 races across the Al-Haqayeq, Al-Laqaya, Al-Jithaa, Al-Thanaya, Al-Hail and Al-Zmoul categories, in addition to Saudi Production races, and included the Al-Mazayen competitions for the first time in the festival's history. The festival is held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and is organized by the Saudi Camel Federation, with total prizes exceeding SAR 50 million.
The event reflects the growing economic and tourism role of camel sports in Saudi Arabia, drawing participants, owners and visitors from inside and outside the Kingdom, and supporting heritage-related activities, hospitality and retail sectors in Taif, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 to develop sports and cultural events as economic drivers.