Qiddiya Horse Racing Venue To Host Saudi Cup And Elevate Global Standards

Qiddiya Investment Company is planning a major new horse racing venue in Qiddiya City, which will host the Saudi Cup as its permanent home. The Saudi Cup is recognised as the world’s richest horse race, and the project is positioned as a central site for sport, culture, and entertainment.

The development aims to honour Saudi Arabia’s long equestrian tradition while also supporting future growth of the sport in the Kingdom. The venue is presented as a national destination that reflects the country’s historic connection with horses and its ongoing investment in modern sporting facilities.

Managing Director of Qiddiya Investment Company Abdullah Aldawood said: "This venue reflects Qiddiya Investment Company’s ambition to set new global benchmarks. Every element, from racing performance and equine welfare to hospitality and fan engagement, has been designed to meet the expectations of the world’s leading racing jurisdictions. In line with our wider vision for Qiddiya City, this state-of-the-art venue is designed to be fully accessible, pioneering a new chapter in spectator engagement and experience."

At the centre of the Qiddiya City horse racing venue is a flexible racing layout, created to support varied international race formats. The configuration is planned to deliver elite performance conditions for horses, while also improving viewing angles and race visibility for spectators across different sections of the facility.

The Qiddiya City horse racing venue will feature the region’s first straight-mile turf course, positioned alongside two main circuits. These include a 2,200-metre main turf track and a 2,400-metre inner dirt track, allowing several race types to run within one integrated racing environment.

Spectator infrastructure at the Qiddiya City horse racing venue centres on a 21,000-seat grandstand, with design plans allowing expansion to around 70,000 guests on major race days through temporary event overlays. A 180-metre parade ring will place horses and riders close to fans, highlighting skill, precision, and long-standing sporting traditions.

Equine welfare and governance at Qiddiya City horse racing venue

Equine welfare is described as a key priority for the Qiddiya City horse racing venue. A dedicated Equine Hospital is planned to deliver advanced veterinary care, including diagnostics, surgery, rehabilitation, and emergency services, underlining a stated commitment to high welfare standards for horses competing at the site.

To strengthen coordination within Saudi Arabia’s horse racing structure, Qiddiya Investment Company and the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding during the Asian Racing Conference. The agreement will focus on collaboration, better alignment, and the long-term development of horse racing across the Kingdom.

The Qiddiya City horse racing venue is part of Qiddiya Investment Company’s wider plan for Qiddiya City as a national hub for sport, entertainment, and culture, guided by the Power of Play concept. The project links Saudi Arabia’s deep-rooted equestrian heritage with broader goals to develop world-level sporting infrastructure.

With inputs from SPA