AlUla will host the official test race for the 2026 World Endurance Championship on Saturday, according to the Saudi Press Agency, in an event organized by the Royal Commission for AlUla in partnership with the Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation. Held alongside the Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation Endurance Cup, the weekend will bring together 270 riders from 18 countries as Saudi Arabia calibrates the venue and operating systems ahead of the global championship.
Context and Background
The test race underscores AlUla’s emergence as a world-class destination for outdoor sport and culture, reflecting sustained national investment in infrastructure and event capability. As outlined in official communications, the Kingdom views equestrian sport as both a heritage asset and a modern growth platform, bringing international competitors and spectators to one of Saudi Arabia’s most distinctive desert landscapes.
Endurance riding, a long-distance discipline requiring meticulous planning and athlete-horse conditioning, is a natural fit for AlUla’s terrain and climate. By pairing the test race with the federation’s Endurance Cup, organizers are sequencing multiple race categories to evaluate venue operations at scale, including course integrity, participant services, and the smooth movement of teams and equipment.
Key Details
The centerpiece of the weekend is a 160 km three-star test race held under the supervision of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI). According to the Saudi Press Agency, the trial is designed to assess AlUla’s readiness to host the 2026 championship, with a specific focus on facilities, trails, timing systems, and preparations for international judges and officials.
In parallel, the Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation Endurance Cup will feature a two-star 120 km race and a one-star 100 km race. The multi-race program will enable organizers to validate course markings and rest zones, test timing and results workflows, and align operational protocols with FEI standards across different distances and competitive levels.
Event delivery is being led by the Royal Commission for AlUla in partnership with the Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation, ensuring coordination between venue management, sporting governance, and participant services. The combined structure supports clear decision-making and unified oversight of safety, logistics, and the competitive schedule.
Implications and Impact
Bringing athletes from 18 countries to AlUla strengthens Saudi Arabia’s profile within the global equestrian community while contributing to the Kingdom’s growing sports and tourism ecosystem. The test race provides a live environment to measure the performance of critical systems—such as trail preparation and timing—before the championship year, reducing operational risk and laying the groundwork for a seamless international event.
For AlUla, the weekend reinforces its positioning as a premier destination for high-caliber events that complement its archaeological, cultural, and natural appeal. The influx of teams, officials, and support staff boosts demand for hospitality and local services, while skills developed across event management, officiating, and volunteer coordination build long-term capabilities within the community.
Regionally, FEI-supervised endurance racing in Saudi Arabia supports stronger linkages between national federations and event organizers, offering athletes in the Middle East and beyond high-quality competitive opportunities. The successful execution of the test race is expected to bolster confidence among international stakeholders and participants ahead of the 2026 World Endurance Championship.
Vision 2030 Alignment
The AlUla test race advances national objectives to diversify the economy, expand the sports sector, and enhance international tourism under Saudi Vision 2030. By combining heritage preservation with modern sporting infrastructure, the Royal Commission for AlUla and the Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation are demonstrating how targeted investments can deliver world-class events that create jobs, cultivate skills, and elevate the Kingdom’s global standing. As preparations continue into 2026, the lessons learned from this weekend’s comprehensive test will support an exceptional championship that reflects Saudi Arabia’s ambition, hospitality, and leadership in international sport.