Dubai World Cup is 2024’s most anticipated sporting event, shows survey

The Dubai World Cup, a key fixture on the UAE’s sporting calendar, has emerged as the most anticipated sporting event of the year, according to a recent poll commissioned by marketing and PR agency duke+mir.

In a survey conducted by research specialist YouGov, spanning over 1,000 respondents, findings reveal that 31 per cent of UAE residents are gearing up to tune in to the 28th edition of the horse racing event set to unfold at the iconic Meydan Racecourse on Saturday, March 30.

The much-awaited race marks the end-of-season finale of the Dubai World Cup Carnival.

Surpassing renowned spectacles such as the UEFA Champions League Final, the T20 World Cup, and the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix, the Dubai World Cup clinches the title of the nation’s favourite sporting extravaganza for 2024.

Dubai World Cup: A special event for the emirate

Launched in 1996 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse, the race moved venues to the Meydan Racecourse in 2006.

Considered one of the world’s richest races: the event features a total prize purse of $30.5m for nine races. The main Dubai World Cup race features a prize worth $12m.

In 2023, Japan’s Yuga Kawada rode Ushba Tesoro to victory in the main race.

Jonathan Ivan-Duke, co-founder of duke+mir, said: “The Dubai World Cup holds a special place in the hearts of people across the UAE and beyond. It’s remarkable to witness how this event unites individuals from diverse backgrounds, echoing the sentiment of a national celebration.”

Offering insight into the event’s significance, racing expert Michael Mulvihill, co-founder of @MiddleEastRacing, emphasised the allure of witnessing top-tier horses and jockeys compete under the dazzling lights of Meydan Racecourse.

He remarked, “The Dubai World Cup’s dominance in the poll underscores the magnetic appeal of witnessing world-class talent converge for an unforgettable evening of racing action.”

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