AlUla will once again host the AlUla Desert Polo on 16–17 January 2026, confirming the return of the world’s first organised desert polo tournament. The event will take place at the Mohammed Yousuf Naghi Equestrian Village and is positioned as a flagship moment within the AlUla Moments 2025/26 calendar.
Organised by the Royal Commission for AlUla, the tournament continues to blend elite-level polo with luxury lifestyle
experiences, cultural heritage and the dramatic natural setting of AlUla’s
sandstone canyons. Since its debut in 2020, AlUla Desert Polo has evolved into
a signature international event, attracting a global, style-conscious audience
alongside regional elites and members of royalty.
The 2026 edition follows the announcement of a three-year strategic
partnership between the Royal Commission for AlUla and Mohammed Yousuf Naghi Motors, the exclusive distributor of
Jaguar and Land Rover in Saudi Arabia. Under the agreement, the company has
been appointed Founding Partner of Heritage Sports in AlUla and will act as
Official Partner across key events, including AlUla Desert Polo and the FEI
Endurance World Championship 2026.
Set within the Mohammed Yousuf Naghi Equestrian Village, the event offers close-up views of top-class polo in a refined environment where sport, fashion and hospitality converge. Beyond the matches, visitors can expect a full lifestyle programme featuring gourmet food, live music, shaded lounge and relaxation areas, family-friendly activities in a dedicated Kids Zone, as well as pop-up retail, local crafts and interactive installations.
Tickets for AlUla Desert Polo 2026 are now on sale, with single-day passes.
A two-day pass is also available. Guests seeking a more immersive experience
can opt for the Polo Players Circle add-on, which includes Premium Pass
benefits and guided access to the field before or after matches, offering
opportunities to meet players, take photographs and receive exclusive event
souvenirs.
Ziad AlSuhaibani, Chief Sports
Officer at the Royal Commission for AlUla, said: “AlUla Desert Polo has become one of the region’s most distinctive
sporting experiences. Its return in 2026 highlights AlUla’s unique ability to
offer heritage, luxury, and athletic excellence in a setting unlike anywhere
else in the world. We look forward to welcoming the players and guests back for
another unforgettable tournament.”
For the travel and tourism industry, AlUla Desert Polo continues to
reinforce AlUla’s positioning as a high-value destination for premium sports tourism. The event also anchors a broader winter sports calendar, which includes
the AlUla Tour professional cycling race (27–31 January), the AlUla Trail Race
(22–23 January 2026) and AlFursan Endurance AlUla (7–8 February 2026), one of the
most prestigious endurance horse racing events globally.
Tags: Ziad AlSuhaibani, Royal Commission for AlUla sports tourism


