Oman Camel Racing Federation Unveils 2026/2027 Season Programme

Muscat: Oman Camel Racing Federation announced the annual programme for the local camel races for the 2026/2027 season. According to Oman News Agency, the programme includes a number of races, festivals, and show (Ardha) and beauty (Mazayna) competitions, in addition to races supported by several private sector institutions, which will be held across various governorates of the Sultanate of Oman. The programme will commence on 29 September with the first race taking place in the Wilayat of Barka in the South Al Batinah Governorate and the Wilayat of Adam in A'Dakhiliyah Governorate. These events will continue until 4 February 2027, while the supported races will run until March 2027. The annual programme encompasses five consecutive races in the wilayats of Barka and Adam. The first race will be held from 29 September to 1 October 2026; the second race from 13 to 15 October; and the third race from 27 to 29 October. Meanwhile, the fourth race is scheduled from 10 to 12 November, and the fifth race will ta ke place from 1 to 3 December 2026. Furthermore, the programme includes the Thumrait competitive race from 13 to 19 November 2026, alongside a number of events dedicated to camel beauty and characteristics. The programme also features the Federation's annual festival, slated to be held from 3 to 7 January 2027. This festival constitutes one of the most prominent highlights of the season, bringing together camel owners, trainers, and enthusiasts of this sport from all governorates of the Sultanate of Oman. Within the framework of enhancing the partnership between the public and private sectors and supporting traditional sports, the programme includes several races supported by Occidental Oman and Oman Shell in the concession areas, which encompass the governorates of A'Dakhiliyah, A'Dhahirah, and Al Wusta. The organization of the annual programme for local camel races aligns with the attention the Sultanate of Oman accords to camel racing, as it is one of the sports deeply rooted in Omani heritage. It refl ects significant cultural, social, and sporting value, while also playing a vital role in supporting camel owners and trainers, and encouraging them to develop and preserve camel breeds.