Dates Confirmed for the 2025/2026 Dubai Carnival

The season will kick off on November 7 at Meydan and conclude on March 28 with the 30th running of the Dubai World Cup

Hit Show Captured the Most Recent Edition of the Dubai World Cup / DWC

DUBAI, Emiratos Arabes Unidos (Special for Turf Diario).- Anticipation is already building for another vibrant season at the majestic Meydan Racecourse, as the Dubai Racing Club officially released the calendar for the 2025/2026 Dubai Racing Carnival. A total of 17 race meetings are scheduled, running from Friday, November 7, through Saturday, March 28, the latter reserved for the historic 30th edition of the Dubai World Cup (G1).

That culminating night will mark a significant milestone, as 30 years will have passed since Cigar (Palace Music) captured the inaugural Dubai World Cup in 1996, launching an era of top-level racing in the United Arab Emirates. The evening of March 28 promises to be unforgettable, once again attracting the world’s best horses, jockeys, and trainers under the Meydan lights.

Four dates stand out as season pillars, each combining elite racing with Dubai’s signature hospitality and entertainment:

• Festive Friday – December 19, 2025: Embracing the holiday spirit with a high-quality card headlined by the Maktoum Mile (G2, AED 1 million).

• Fashion Friday – January 23, 2026: Elegance and adrenaline meet, with a program packed with group races, topped by the Al Maktoum Challenge (G1, AED 3.68 million), a key qualifier offering a lucrative berth into the Dubai World Cup.

• Emirates Super Saturday – February 28, 2026: A Carnival classic and pivotal prep for World Cup night, featuring the Al Maktoum Classic (G2), a “Win and You’re In” qualifier.

• Dubai World Cup – March 28, 2026: The world’s most spectacular racing day remains the crowning jewel, with champions etching their names into history.

Sheikh Rashed bin Dalmook Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Racing Club, said:

“The Dubai World Cup is firmly established as one of the world’s greatest sporting and social spectacles. As we prepare to celebrate its 30th edition in 2026, we look forward to welcoming the best horses, jockeys, and teams from across the globe.”

He added:

“The preceding 16 Carnival meetings will offer exceptional competition with an unmistakable international flavor. Thanks to the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Carnival continues to cement Dubai’s status as a global epicenter for racing.”

Ali Al Ali, CEO and Board Member of the Dubai Racing Club, also commented:

“We are extremely proud of how both the Dubai World Cup and the Dubai Racing Carnival have grown over the past three decades. Under the guidance of our leadership, we are working tirelessly to bring their vision to life and ensure that the 30th edition of the Dubai World Cup is an unforgettable experience for racing professionals and fans alike.”