Qatar Equestrian Season 2026: Dates & Guide

If you love horses, show jumping or the energy of live racing, the Qatar Equestrian and Endurance season 2026: races, dates and spectator guide is one of Doha's most enjoyable winter draws. The headline dates to lock in: the Doha Equestrian Tour runs 2 January to 4 April 2026 at Al Shaqab, with world-class events like CHI Al Shaqab (18–21 February) and the Longines Global Champions Tour (4–7 March) inside that window. Here's the full calendar and everything a spectator needs to plan a day out.

When is the Qatar equestrian season 2026?

Qatar's equestrian season lines up with the cooler months, which is exactly when you want to be sitting in an outdoor arena in Doha. The competitive heart of the season is the Doha Equestrian Tour 2026, held from 2 January to 4 April 2026 at Al Shaqab, spanning both the Longines Indoor and Outdoor Arenas.

Across those three months you get a steady rhythm of show jumping, dressage and international-level competition, building up to marquee weekends that draw top riders from around the globe. Horse racing, meanwhile, runs on a separate schedule through the winter at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club.

Where the action happens: Al Shaqab and beyond

Most of the season's flagship competitions take place at Al Shaqab, located on Alshaqab Street in the Education City area of Doha. It's a purpose-built equestrian venue with indoor and outdoor arenas designed for international show jumping and dressage. Its listed general operating hours are Sunday to Thursday, 7:30am to 3:30pm, but these are the day-to-day facility hours — on competition days the venue follows its own event timetable, and evening finals are common for the headline weekends.

Racing enthusiasts head instead to the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club, home of thoroughbred racing during the winter months. Between the two venues, Doha keeps the equestrian calendar busy from October all the way through to spring.

The full 2026 equestrian calendar

Here's how the season unfolds, in order. Bookmark this and plan your weekends around the events that appeal most.

Doha Equestrian Tour 2026

• Dates: 2 January to 4 April 2026
• Venue: Al Shaqab, Longines Indoor and Outdoor Arenas
• What it is: The umbrella tour that houses the season's competitions, from early-season rounds to international headline weekends.

HH The Father Amir's Equestrian Prix

• Dates: 2 to 31 January 2026
• Format: Four rounds spread across the month
• Why go: A great way to ease into the season, with competition every few days at Al Shaqab.

HH The Amir's Sword International Equestrian Festival

• Dates: 11 to 14 February 2026
• Venue: Al Shaqab
• Highlights: Show jumping, dressage and related competitions across four days — one of the most prestigious dates on the local calendar.

CHI Al Shaqab

• Dates: 18 to 21 February 2026
• Why it matters: An internationally recognised show that brings elite riders and horses to Doha for a packed, high-level weekend.

Longines Global Champions Tour

• Dates: 4 to 7 March 2026
• Why go: Part of one of the world's premier show jumping series, this is arguably the season's marquee spectator draw, with top-ranked international riders competing at Al Shaqab.

Al Shaqab Cup and Qatar Equestrian Federation Cup

• Al Shaqab Cup: 26 to 28 March 2026
• Qatar Equestrian Federation Cup: 2 to 4 April 2026 — the closing act of the Doha Equestrian Tour.

Horse racing at Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club

Away from show jumping, thoroughbred racing offers a different flavour of the sport. Race meetings at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club generally take place on Wednesdays and Thursdays from October through May, which means the racing season overlaps with much of the show-jumping calendar.

Race evenings are a relaxed, family-friendly way to experience Qatari equestrian culture up close — the pace is different from the arena, but the atmosphere is every bit as engaging. Check the club's weekly schedule ahead of your visit, as individual meeting dates and card timings vary week to week.

What about endurance racing?

Endurance racing — long-distance riding across desert terrain — has a strong following in Qatar and typically features during the cooler months. At the time of writing, a confirmed 2026 endurance-race schedule, entry fees and spectator arrangements had not been published, so we'd recommend treating specific endurance dates as provisional until officially announced.

If you're keen to follow endurance events, keep an eye on the Qatar Living events listings, where we update the community as new dates and details are confirmed.

Tickets, timings and getting there

Here's the honest picture for planning purposes:

• Tickets: A confirmed 2026 general-admission price, ticketing procedure or free-entry policy had not been published at the time of writing. Many equestrian events in Doha have historically welcomed spectators, but do check the specific event details before you travel.
• Timings: Al Shaqab's listed general operating hours are Sunday to Thursday, 7:30am to 3:30pm, but these facility hours don't necessarily apply on competition days — event schedules run on their own timetables, and evening finals are common for the headline weekends.
• Getting there: Al Shaqab sits in the Education City area on Alshaqab Street. The Doha Metro Green Line serves Education City, and a short Karwa taxi or ride-hailing trip completes the journey. Parking is generally available on site for those driving.

Because ticketing and event-day timings can change, we'd recommend confirming the details for your chosen event directly with the organisers — contact Al Shaqab or the Qatar Equestrian Federation through their official channels before you set off.

What to know before you go

• Dress for the season: Winter days are pleasant, but bring a light layer for evening sessions and sun cover for daytime outdoor arenas.
• Arrive early: For headline weekends like CHI Al Shaqab and the Longines Global Champions Tour, seating and parking fill up faster, so aim to get there in good time.
• Family-friendly: Both Al Shaqab events and race meetings are generally suitable for families — a great cultural day out for newcomers to Doha.
• Check before you go: Since ticketing and endurance details were still to be confirmed, always verify the specifics of your chosen event beforehand.

FAQs

When does the Qatar equestrian season 2026 start?

The Doha Equestrian Tour 2026 runs from 2 January to 4 April 2026 at Al Shaqab, and the opening HH The Father Amir's Equestrian Prix begins on 2 January with four rounds through the month.

Where is Al Shaqab located?

Al Shaqab is on Alshaqab Street in the Education City area of Doha. Its listed general operating hours are Sunday to Thursday, 7:30am to 3:30pm, though competition days follow their own event schedules.

What is the biggest equestrian event of the 2026 season?

Several stand out, including HH The Amir's Sword International Equestrian Festival (11–14 February), CHI Al Shaqab (18–21 February) and the Longines Global Champions Tour (4–7 March), which is one of the world's premier show jumping series.

How much are tickets for equestrian events in Qatar?

A confirmed 2026 general-admission price or ticketing procedure had not been published at the time of writing. Check the specific event's details before you travel, as arrangements can vary by competition.

When can I watch horse racing in Qatar?

Race meetings at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club generally take place on Wednesdays and Thursdays from October through May. Check the club's weekly schedule for exact dates.

Are there endurance races in the 2026 season?

• Endurance racing is popular in Qatar during the cooler months, but a confirmed 2026 schedule and spectator details had not been published at the time of writing. Watch the Qatar Living events listings for updates.

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