Everything about the championship, the venue and the people running it.
The course, the horses, the rules and the results.
Follow the ride live, wherever you are.
Entry is free and open to all. Plan your day in the desert.
Stories from the road to Butheeb, and everything the press needs.
For national federations, chefs d'équipe, riders, crews and grooms.
Frequently asked questions
The short version of everything a visitor asks. If your question is not here, the Organising Committee is a message away.
Visitors
Entry to Butheeb 2026 is free and open to all. There is no ticket to buy; come to the Village on ride day.
Saturday 19 December 2026. The mass start is at 05:45 Gulf Standard Time and the leaders are expected home in the late afternoon. Championship week runs from 14 to 20 December, with the opening ceremony on Thursday 17 December.
The Village. All six loops start and finish at the vet gate area, so from one spot you see every arrival, the cooling, the presentation to the vets and every departure, and then the finish.
The water points on the course are working areas for the crews, not spectator zones. The spectator zones are at the Village and are marked on the site plan.
By road. The Village is at Al Khatim, between Abu Dhabi and Al Ain: 65 km from Zayed International Airport and 120 km from Dubai International. Taxis, Uber, Careem and rental cars all run to Butheeb, and there is parking at the Village.
Live timing and GPS tracking of every horse run on this site through ride day, with results loop by loop and gate by gate. Broadcast and streaming details are on the Watch pages.
Mild winter days: about 16 to 24 °C from morning to midday, cooler before sunrise at the start and warm in the afternoon. Bring layers, sun protection and water.
Yes. Accessible routes, viewing positions and parking are marked on the site plan, and the Organising Committee plans for any access requirement you tell them about beforehand.
Every horse is inspected by the Veterinary Commission before the ride, after every loop and at the finish; it continues only if it is fit to. Heart rate, gait, hydration and metabolic checks decide, and a clinic, horse ambulances and treatment vets are on site.
Teams: the NF team portal and the Teams pages. Media: press accreditation on the News & Media pages. Partners: the Partners pages. Everyone: the Organising Committee at oc.butheeb@uaeerf.ae.
The Organising Committee answers visitor questions in English and Arabic.
