Camel Club

The Camel Club is an independent government club in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia concerned with camels and their affairs and activities, except for matters related to racing camels and their competitions, which are overseen by the Saudi Arabian Camel Racing Federation. It was founded by a Royal Decree in July 2017, and its headquarters is located in the capital city, Riyadh.

In July 2018, the Council of Ministers issued approvals for the regulations of the Camel Club, which included its objectives and tasks, such as organizing camel-related events inside and outside the Kingdom, conducting camel auctions, organizing the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival, managing the club's allocated lands, sites, fields, and reserves, fostering research collaborations related to camels with universities, colleges, scientific research centers, and healthcare institutions, hosting and organizing camel festivals, exhibitions, and specialized conferences, and cooperating with regional and international entities relevant to the club's activities.

The King Abdulaziz Camel Festival is an annual cultural, sports, economic, and entertainment festival dedicated to all aspects related to camels and their heritage. Some of the accompanying events at the festival include the main poetry tent, camel riding, traditional fashion shows, performing arts, and Bedouin hospitality (featuring Saudi Arabian coffee and traditional dishes).

In a short period, the festival has transformed from a local event into a global phenomenon eagerly anticipated by camel enthusiasts, visitors, tourists, and investors. Within just a few years, it has become a cultural, economic, and entertainment destination unlike any other in the world. It successfully combines preserving heritage with contemporary civilization, spreading awareness and knowledge about camels, their culture, and their connection to Saudi heritage. The festival also strives to develop the camel economy and its future, strengthen partnerships with relevant international organizations, and provide support.

The King Abdulaziz Camel Festival, which is considered the world's largest camel carnival, introduced four new tracks and issued several developmental decisions for camel competitions at the festival. These decisions include the elimination of the branding and section requirements and the adoption of electronic chips to prove ownership. The electronic chips are provided through the camel numbering project initiated by the club, which has numbered more than 1,480,000 camels in the Kingdom. Additionally, the festival initiated the first camel beauty pageant for different regions in 2021.