Meydan Racecourse is one of the best horse racing venues in the World and hosts the Dubai World Cup Night, which is the single richest day of Thoroughbred racing in the world.
Meydan Racecourse is in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and can accommodate over 60,000 spectators.
The grandstand at Meydan Racecourse is a half mile in length and makes the Ascot Racecourse grandstand look small (which takes some doing).
In our 2026 Meydan Racecourse guide, we provide all the information about the races, the venue, and the history behind Dubai’s number one horse racing track.
Contents
Meydan Racecourse History
Meydan Racecourse opened on March 27, 2010, and replaced Nad Al Sheba Racecourse, which formerly occupied the same site.
Meydan’s horse racing venue includes a horse racing museum, a gallery, a five-star hotel and a nine-hole golf course.
When horse racing fixtures are not scheduled, the impressive venue is used as a business conference centre and also as a filming location for many great films like Star Trek Beyond.
The racecourse has also hosted concerts by Elton John, The Artpop Ball, Santana, Lady Gaga, Kylie Minogue, Janet Jackson and Sia.
The Meydan horse racing track in Dubai created history as it is the world’s first five-star trackside hotel, featuring 285 rooms.
About Meydan Racecourse
Meydan Racecourse has two tracks:
- 2,400m left-handed turf race track
- 8.75-furlong (1,750 m) left-handed dirt course
Meydan Races operates from November to March and features the Winter Racing Challenge, the Dubai International Racing Carnival, and the Dubai World Cup Night.
Meydan is closely affiliated with Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE’s Vice President and Prime Minister, as well as the Ruler of Dubai.
Major Thoroughbred Meydan Races
The major thoroughbred horse races hosted at Meydan Racecourse include:
- Dubai World Cup
- Al Quoz Sprint Race
- Dubai Golden Shaheen
- Dubai Sheema Classic
- Godolphin Mile Race
- Dubai Turf
- Godolphin Mile
- Jebel Hatta
Summary
If you are ever in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, we strongly advise visiting the very impressive Meydan Racecourse.
From personal experience, the team at British Racecourses have voted Meydan Horse Racing Venue to be in the top 3 racecourses in the world.
As the venue includes Meydan Marina, The Meydan Grandstand, the world’s first five-star trackside hotel, two different surface race tracks, restaurants and a horse racing museum, it is very impressive to experience.
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