The 2026 Asian Racing Conference Heads to Riyadh Alongside the Saudi Cup

The 41st edition of the traditional gathering will be held from February 10-12, 2026, staged alongside the world’s richest race

King Abdulaziz Gears Up for an Unforgettable February / JCSA

RIYADH, Arabia Saudita (Special for Turf Diario).- History will be written once again in February 2026, when the Asian Racing Conference (ARC) stages its 41st edition at a groundbreaking venue: the city of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It will mark the first time the global gathering is hosted by the Kingdom, coinciding with one of the sport’s most significant fixtures on the international calendar, the Saudi Cup, the world’s richest race.

Under the theme “Honoring Tradition – Forging the Future”, the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia (JCSA) and the Asian Racing Federation (ARF) will welcome leaders, experts, and industry stakeholders from across the globe. The event is scheduled from February 9–14 at the Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC Hotel & Convention Centre, which will serve as the base for a program of the highest caliber.

The climax arrives on Feb. 14 at King Abdulaziz Racetrack, where the latest edition of the Saudi Cup will be run. Since its inception in 2020, the race has quickly established itself as one of the sport’s premier attractions, drawing top-class horses, jockeys, and trainers from around the world with its unparalleled purses. For the hundreds of delegates descending on the Saudi capital, the race will serve as an additional magnet.

The ARC has become far more than just a congress: it is a platform where trends are set, experiences shared, and strategies drawn for the advancement of the sport in its many markets. The working sessions will take place Tuesday, Feb. 10 through Thursday, Feb. 12, featuring a series of plenaries addressing both the challenges and opportunities currently facing the global industry.

True to its spirit, the agenda will balance tradition with forward-looking perspectives, at a time when racing is being reshaped by technological innovation, shifting patterns in how fans consume sport, and the ongoing need to reinforce integrity and transparency at every level.

Speakers from a broad spectrum will take the stage over those days. Alongside well-known racing and sports figures, delegates will hear from leaders in business, technology, media, and content distribution. Their contributions—through keynote addresses, presentations, and panel discussions—will aim to enrich debate and bring diverse perspectives to strengthening the future of the sport.

The ARC boasts a long legacy as a catalyst for integration and growth in global racing. Each edition has left its mark, whether through the debates it has fueled, the innovations it has promoted, or the partnerships it has fostered. That it now comes to Saudi Arabia—home to a racetrack and a racing program that have invested decisively to stand at the forefront of the international stage—represents a significant step in that evolution.

Organizers have already opened ticket sales, with an early-bird option available through Oct. 16, 2025, offering a preferential rate of $1,200. Delegates from every continent are expected to secure their spots well in advance for an event that promises to be a watershed moment.

With the power of the Saudi Cup as its backdrop and a dynamic program ahead, the 41st Asian Racing Conference is poised to deliver an unforgettable gathering. In an increasingly connected and competitive world, Riyadh will aim to show that racing, firmly grounded in its roots, also has the vision and ambition to reinvent itself and project confidently into the future.