The Final Annual Camel Races Festival, Wathba 2026, begins on Monday at Al Wathba Camel Race Track in Abu Dhabi.
The event is held under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and will run from May 11 to 21.
Now in its 47th edition, the festival will bring thousands of camels from the UAE and other GCC countries to one of the region’s main camel racing events.
It also marks the end of the camel racing season.
A total of 192 races will be staged across the festival. That includes 50 races for camels owned by Their Highnesses the Sheikhs, 130 races for camels owned by tribesmen, and 12 heritage races.
The event is organised by the UAE Camel Racing Federation, chaired by Sheikh Sultan bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, Adviser to the UAE President.
His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, is closely following the event.
The festival remains an important part of the UAE’s sporting and cultural calendar, with Al Wathba again set to host leading owners, trainers and racing fans over 11 days.
