Destination 
Verified UAE is known for camel racing by everyone all around the world. This guide contains information for anyone planning a trip to the UAE with camel race Abu Dhabi in mind.
Everything starting from race schedules, tickets, places to watch and insider tips, this guide contains all the assistance you need. There is more information about camel racing to get a better understanding about the sport.
The native emirates have held a special place for camels since the early days. They are considered as a symbol of wealth even today. Camel racing was a way of celebrating something special back in history. With time it has become one of the wealthiest sports in the world.
The winners usually receive cash rewards estimated roughly from 1 million USD onwards. With this demand camels are bred with the intention of battling each other in came races. They are not just used for camel rides which tend to be very slow paced. Camel racing in the UAE attracts thousands of spectators across 15 tracks each winter season and is one of the few traditional Bedouin sports to have grown in scale and prize money. Abu Dhabi has a deeper relationship with the camel than any other emirate; the animal features on the UAE coat of arms and Al Wathba remains the city's living showcase of that heritage.
The Al Wathba Camel Race Track is one of 15 active camel racing tracks across the UAE and is the principal venue serving Abu Dhabi. For visitors already in the city, it sits approximately 45 kilometres from the city centre off the Al Ain Road. These are fully equipped with all the modern technology to attract tourists from around the world. The time between October to March is usually considered the season for camel racing.
One of the major camel racing events held in Abu Dhabi takes place over two days. The Al Wathba Racetrack in Abu Dhabi has two special tracks , one for the camels and the other for the camel owners to follow by car. This is one of the best places to watch camel racing that guarantees a memorable experience.
The Al Wathba camel racing federation showcases camel racing as a part of UAE’s heritage while promoting it by raising awareness among the world. It also acts as the organizing body between all camel races held across the UAE. The UAE Camel Racing Federation sets the rules, season calendar and prize structure for every affiliated track including Al Wathba.
BBC Wild Arabia has made a documentary featuring camel racing. You can watch all the camel racing events that take place in Abu Dhabi through AL Rayyan TV.
Camel racing in Abu Dhabi usually takes place over the winter season. The races usually take place on weekend mornings and also some on UAE public holidays. The main event is held in Abu Dhabi with other camel races taking place all over the UAE.
The camel racing season in the Abu Dhabi runs from November through to April each year, coinciding with the cooler winter months when conditions are suitable for racing. Training sessions and practice races can be observed at Al Wathba from October onwards as owners and trainers prepare their camels for the competitive calendar. The season culminates with the Final Annual Camel Races Festival, Wathba 2026, the most prestigious event of the year, scheduled for May 2026 at Al Wathba Camel Race Track. The 2026 to 2027 season is expected to begin in November 2026. For confirmed dates and timings, visitors can contact the Camel Racing Association directly on 02 885 8888.
Visitors planning a trip to Al Wathba during the season can also explore the surrounding desert. The Al Wathba Fossil Dunes morning 4x4 tour and the Al Wathba Fossil Dunes evening 4x4 tour take you through the extraordinary petrified dunes just minutes from the race track, making it straightforward to pair a race morning with a desert excursion later in the day. Those who want a closer encounter with camels beyond the spectator side can book the Abu Dhabi camel trekking tour, which gives a very different perspective on these animals away from the competitive setting.
A standard domestic camel in the UAE costs between AED 5,000 and AED 30,000, but a trained racing camel starts at AED 1 million and can reach AED 6 million for a proven champion. Camels are treated very highly in the UAE with racing camels having an even higher place. Being one of the richest sports in the world, winning camels usually receive cash awards varying from 2000 AED to 200,000 AED. This sport is widely known all across the middle east, but has more popularity in the UAE. These racing camels are valued from 1 million to 6 million AED.
Camel races usually start at 6.30 a.m but can also take place in the afternoon.
The 2 locations can be found in the above google map.
You can simply drive to the AL Wathba Camel race track using a normal car. It can even be added to your AL Wathba Tour.
Ever wondered who the jockey on top of these camels are? They are actually controlled by robot jockeys. It is done through a pack that is attached to the hump of the race camels. This is very different to the ancient practices of Bedouins as camel racing has a more modern touch nowadays.
Back in Bedouins during ancient times, small boys were used as jockeys to ride on camels. These boys were usually outsourced from Pakistan or India. However with the increasing awareness of human rights, this particluar practice was viewed as child labour. So from 2005 onwards robot jockeys replaced child jockeys in the camel racing industry.
These robot jockeys are controlled by the camel owners. They usually ride on a 4x4 vehicle along a separate race track in every camel race. They voice their commands through speakers and control the whip through a remote.
With the advancement of technology many things related to camel racing have been modernized. Normally when a camel race is about to start, a group of men would lift up the gates and run off before the race starts. Now it has also been automated along with monitoring the camels in a race and nutrition control ; especially the robot jockeys used on camel racing.
These were invented in the UAE with the system of communication between the camel owner and the robot. During the initial process of making this robot, the Swiss also collaborated. However this prototype was considered heavy as the ideal robot should weigh between 2 - 4 kilograms. This has been in the industry for almost 14 years.
You can get more details about camel race times, dates, locations and rates by contacting Arabiers during Sunday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Read our latest guide on things to do in Al Wathba to plan your trip to the very best with Arabiers.
Yes, watching camel racing at Al Wathba Camel Race Track is completely free. There is no admission charge, no ticket required, and no booking needed in advance. Visitors simply drive to the track, park, and walk to the spectator area.
The sport is considered part of UAE cultural heritage and the Camel Racing Association welcomes members of the public throughout the season. It is advisable to arrive early, as races begin around 05:00 in the morning and the best viewing spots fill up quickly once the camels are on the track.
Races at Al Wathba typically begin around 05:00 in the morning, before sunrise. The early start is deliberate: cooler pre-dawn temperatures are better for the camels and produce faster racing times.
Visitors are advised to arrive by 04:45 to find parking and reach the spectator side before the first heat gets under way. Races usually run for two to three hours, finishing well before the heat of the day sets in.
The exact start time can vary depending on the race calendar and time of year, so calling the Camel Racing Association on 02 885 8888 the day before your visit is always a good idea.
Attending and watching camel racing in the UAE costs nothing - entry is free at all public race tracks including Al Wathba.
The cost of owning a racing camel is a very different matter. Competitive racing camels in the UAE are valued between AED 1 million and AED 6 million depending on lineage, race record, and physical condition.
Prize money for major races ranges from AED 2,000 for smaller heats to AED 200,000 or more for championship events, making camel racing one of the wealthiest traditional sports in the region.
Robot jockeys are lightweight remote-controlled devices fixed onto a camel's back during races. The camel's owner follows alongside the track in a vehicle and operates the jockey using a radio transmitter, similar to a walkie-talkie.
A modern robot jockey consists of an aluminium frame, battery, motor, receiver, and a small mechanical whip. Remote signals activate the motor, causing the whip to move and encourage the camel to run faster.
Owners may also speak through the communication system so the camel hears a familiar voice during the race. Early models were built to resemble child jockeys and weighed around 23 kg, but modern versions weigh only 1.5 to 2 kg, are far cheaper to produce, and have contributed to faster race times overall.
The most common technical problem is signal interference, which can accidentally activate a neighbouring camel's robot mid-race.
The camel racing season in the UAE runs from November through to April each year, coinciding with the cooler winter months when conditions are suitable for racing.
Training sessions and practice races can be observed at Al Wathba from October onwards as owners and trainers prepare their camels for the competitive calendar.
The season builds towards the Final Annual Camel Races Festival, Wathba 2026, the most prestigious event of the year, scheduled for May 2026 at Al Wathba Camel Race Track. The 2026 to 2027 season is expected to begin in November 2026.
For confirmed dates and timings, visitors can contact the Camel Racing Association directly on 02 885 8888.
