Your complete guide to Meydan Racecourse
Horse racing enthusiasts in Dubai have one of the sport’s most iconic global venues to watch races live, right here in the city. The spectacular Meydan Racecourse is a track complex spanning a staggering 7.5 million m². Home to world-class facilities and the annual host of one the world’s richest horse races in the Dubai World Cup, it is a venue truly worthy of the sport of kings. Whether you’re attending a race festival or headed to a function, our complete guide to Meydan Racecourse contains all the info you need.
About the track
The Meydan Racecourse includes a race track, The Meydan (a five-star hotel) and the Meydan Grandstand. Here’s some quick trivia about this top sports stadium in Dubai:
- This course spans a total of 1.5 kilometres and can accommodate up to 60,000 spectators, with covered parking for 8,600 cars.
- Meydan Racecourse’s construction was completed in 2010.
- It has a 1,750m dirt track and a 2,400m turf track, along with receiving barns, stables, turf and all-weather training tracks, as well as jockey and horsemen’s lounges.
- Dubai Racing Club organises and hosts racing at the Meydan Racecourse.
- The racing track operates from November to early April and features the Winter Racing Challenge, Dubai International Racing Carnival and the Dubai World Cup.
- The Meydan hotel, which is temporarily closed, is the world’s first trackside five-star hotel.
Important Races at the track
The Meydan Racecourse hosts various key horse races throughout the year. One of the major events is the Dubai World Cup, known for being one of the richest racing events in the world. The prize money totals USD 30.5M for nine races, including USD 12M at stake in the title contest.
Other important racing events include the Dubai World Cup Carnival and Dubai Racing Carnival, each giving a chance for horse owners to showcase their prized equines.
To buy Meydan Racecourse tickets, head to the Dubai Racing Club website. It season usually starts in November each year.
As a visitor, you can enjoy your racing experience by dining at Meydan Lounge or Sky Bubble. With stunning views and great hospitality, the experience offered here is unmatched!
Location, timings and dress code
The Meydan Racecourse Dubai location, is in Meydan, close to Nad Al Sheba. Their timings are: Monday to Friday – 08:00 am to 04:00 pm.
While visitors in the public area can wear casual attire, trackside visitors must be in smart or decent casual attire. Flip flops and shorts are not permitted.
Frequently Asked Questions
What dining options are available at Al Meydan Racecourse?
You can try Sky Bubble at Level 7 and 8 for gourmet dining, while keeping up with the race through the live race coverage. Then, there’s The Cigar, Private Suites, Dubai Lounge, Royal Enclosure, Paddock View Restaurant, Winner’s Circle Restaurant, First Class Lounge, Thunder Snow and Monterosso. One can dine with ease regardless of where they’re seated at the Meydan Racecourse.
Are there any family-friendly things to do at Meydan Racecourse?
Since betting isn’t allowed at the Meydan Racecourse, it’s quite family-friendly and ideal for bringing children to races. You can take the little ones to Stable Tours (this is available when the Meydan Hotel opens up again). You can also go to places around the track, such as the Nad Al Sheba Park, with the Nad Al Sheba Cycling Track or show them the Meydan Bridge at night.
What makes the Dubai World Cup at Meydan so special?
Dubai World Cup attracts the world’s premium thoroughbred horses owing to the prize money, close to USD 30M prize money for 9 races. Some of the greatest horses, such as Cigar, have been at the races.
Discover more hotspots in the UAE with MyBayut, the region’s biggest property blog.
