Why Saudi Arabia is betting on camel racing to grow a new investment and breeding ecosystem
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is using a new SR500,000 ($133,300) camel racing prize to deepen investment in domestic breeding, attract new owners, and strengthen the economic foundations of a sport that sits at the intersection of the Kingdom’s cultural heritage and Vision 2030 ambitions.
The Saudi Camel Racing Federation has introduced the Crown Prince Camel Festival Cup, an exclusive competition for Saudi participants that will reward the owner who accumulates the highest number of points throughout the 2026–2027 season.
The cup will debut at the eighth Crown Prince Camel Festival, beginning Sept. 3 at the Taif Camel Racing Track.
While the prize is designed to raise the stakes for existing owners, the federation sees the competition as a potential catalyst for bringing new investors into camel racing and encouraging greater investment in Saudi-bred camels.
