The Saudi Cup is saddling up for a new home in Qiddiya City
From King Abdulaziz Racecourse to Qiddiya City, the Saudi Cup gets a new address
For years, the world’s richest horse race has thundered down the track at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh.
This weekend, on Friday February 13 and Saturday February 14, the Saudi Cup returns there once again, drawing global eyes, elite jockeys, and some very fast horses for its seventh edition. But change is on the horizon.
Qiddiya Investment Company has revealed plans for a landmark new horse racing venue in Qiddiya City, set to become the new permanent home of the prestigious Group 1 USD20 million Saudi Cup.
While there’s no confirmed opening date just yet, one thing is clear: when it’s ready, it’s going to be brilliant.
Inside Qiddiya’s new horse racing venue
Featuring a distinctive and flexible racing configuration, the horse racing venue will include the region’s first straight-mile turf course, a 2,200-metre main turf track, and a 2,400-metre inner dirt track. All will be seamlessly integrated to host international race formats under one spectacular roofline.
The 21,000-seat grandstand will anchor the state-of-the-art venue, with the ability to expand capacity to up to 70,000 for major race days.
There will be a 180-metre parade ring designed to bring fans closer to the action, where you’ll actually feel the power and precision before the gates even open.
But it’s not just about race day glamour. Equine welfare takes centre stage here, with a world-class Equine Hospital providing advanced veterinary services, including diagnostics, surgery, rehabilitation, and emergency care.
Beyond race days, the horse racing venue is designed to operate as a year-round destination. Off the track, expect nine fine-dining restaurants curated by chefs from Michelin-starred restaurants, alongside premium hospitality and social spaces.
The venue will also host the Turf Racing Festival, further strengthening its position as a platform for elite racing and cultural celebration.
A new global benchmark for equestrianism
Qiddiya City’s horse racing venue is set to debut with an exciting mix of racing, cultural, and showcase events, attracting international participants, industry leaders, and audiences from around the world.
From heritage to high spectacle, this is shaping up to be much more than just a racetrack. It’s the next chapter in horse racing in Saudi Arabia, and the countdown has quietly begun.
The horse racing venue forms part of Qiddiya Investment Company’s wider vision to develop Qiddiya City as a national hub for sport, entertainment, and culture, driven by the Power of Play.
Images: Supplied
