Flying private to Saudi Arabia's big events
Riyadh Season, Formula E and Formula 1 in Jeddah, the world's richest horse race in Riyadh and winter in AlUla. The dates, the airports and the permits that decide how smoothly the trip runs.
- Riyadh Season
- From 21 Oct 2026
- Formula E Jeddah
- 18 to 19 Dec 2026
- Saudi Cup
- 5 to 6 Feb 2027
- Saudi Arabian GP
- 19 to 21 Mar 2027
How event travel works in Saudi Arabia
Yes. Jets land at King Abdulaziz International in Jeddah for the Grand Prix, King Khalid International in Riyadh for the Saudi Cup, and AlUla International for Desert Polo. Every private or charter flight needs a landing permit, filed at least 72 hours ahead.
Saudi Arabia's biggest events sit in three different cities, each with its own airport. The jet lands close to the venue, and the drive is short.
Riyadh Season 2026 opens on 21 October, and Formula E opens its season with a night double-header in Jeddah on 18 and 19 December 2026. The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix returns to Jeddah in March 2027 after the 2026 race was cancelled. The Saudi Cup meeting runs in Riyadh in early February, and AlUla's Winter at Tantora and Desert Polo fall in December and January.
Permits, parking and alcohol rules are stricter than in Europe, so the operator needs passenger details early. Every flight is operated by a certified operator named on your quote.
Sources:TradeArabia, September 2026: Riyadh Season 2026 to open on October 21Formula E, June 2026: Season 13 calendar, where Formula E will be racing in 2026/27Silverstone, September 2026: F1 2027 calendar, full list of venues and key datesPlanetF1, March 2026: F1 cancels Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix over Middle East conflictArab News, October 2026: Riyadh racing returns to King Abdulaziz RacecourseExperience AlUla, November 2025: Winter at Tantora 2026Riyadh Daily, January 2026: AlUla Desert Polo 2026, full schedule and teams for the fifth editionUniversal Weather, 2025: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix business aviation planning guide
The 2026 to 2027 event calendar
| Event | Dates | How people fly in |
|---|---|---|
| Riyadh Season | Opens 21 October 2026 with a 10-week programme | Jet to King Khalid International, then by car to the zone |
| Formula E, Jeddah E-Prix | Fri 18 and Sat 19 December 2026, night races | Jet to King Abdulaziz International, about 15 km from the circuit |
| Winter at Tantora, AlUla | 2026 to 2027 dates not announced yet (last edition: 18 December 2025 to 10 January 2026) | Jet to AlUla International, about 25 minutes by road |
| AlUla Desert Polo | Usually mid-January; 2027 dates not yet announced (2026: 16 to 17 January) | Jet to AlUla International, about 25 minutes by road |
| Saudi Cup, Riyadh | Fri 5 and Sat 6 February | Jet to King Khalid International, minutes from the racecourse |
| Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Jeddah | 19 to 21 March | Jet to King Abdulaziz International, about 15 km from the circuit |
The 2026 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was cancelled; the 2027 race is on the provisional F1 calendar. MDLBEAST cancelled the December 2026 edition of Soundstorm and says it will return in 2027.
Sources:TradeArabia, September 2026: Riyadh Season 2026 to open on October 21Universal Weather: Business jet destination guide, Saudi Arabia (updated April 2022)Formula E, June 2026: Season 13 calendar, where Formula E will be racing in 2026/27Experience AlUla, November 2025: Winter at Tantora 2026Riyadh Daily, January 2026: AlUla Desert Polo 2026, full schedule and teams for the fifth editionWheels Up (Air Partner): AlUla International Airport (ULH) airport guideArab News, October 2026: Riyadh racing returns to King Abdulaziz RacecourseHouse of Saud, March 2026: Saudi Cup guide, tickets, travel and the world's richest horse raceSilverstone, September 2026: F1 2027 calendar, full list of venues and key datesGP Destinations, August 2026: How to get to Jeddah Corniche CircuitPlanetF1, March 2026: F1 cancels Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix over Middle East conflictDJ Mag, October 2026: Soundstorm festival cancels 2026 edition
Tell us the dates and passengers. A specialist replies with aircraft options and an all-in price, around the clock.
What to know before you fly into Saudi Arabia
- Landing permits from the General Authority of Civil Aviation are required for all private and charter flights, with a minimum lead time of 72 hours. Your operator files them with full crew and passenger details.
- Jeddah (OEJN), Riyadh (OERK) and Dammam (OEDF) are 24-hour airports of entry; Jeddah and Riyadh have FBOs and full services.
- Alcohol on board must be sealed in a locked, numbered bar before arrival and stay sealed on the ground. Expect full aircraft searches.
- Saudi Arabia lifted cabotage restrictions in May 2025.
Sources:Universal Weather, 2025: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix business aviation planning guideUniversal Weather: Business jet destination guide, Saudi Arabia (updated April 2022)AIN, October 2025: Alliance opens FBO at Saudi Arabia's AlUla airport
Jets operators fly to Saudi events
From light jets for regional hops to long-range jets from Europe and Asia.
Questions, answered
Still deciding? A charter specialist will talk you through aircraft, airports and price, with no obligation.
Ask a specialistDo I need a permit to fly a private jet into Saudi Arabia?+
Yes. Landing permits are required for all private and charter flights, with a minimum lead time of 72 hours and full crew and passenger details.
When is the 2027 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix?+
19 to 21 March 2027 in Jeddah, on the provisional F1 calendar.
When is the 2027 Saudi Cup?+
The meeting is on Friday 5 and Saturday 6 February 2027 at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh.
When is Formula E in Saudi Arabia?+
The Jeddah E-Prix opens the 2026 to 2027 season with night races on 18 and 19 December 2026 at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
When does Riyadh Season 2026 start?+
It opens on 21 October 2026 with a 10-week programme of sport, concerts and shows across the city.
Can I bring alcohol on board?+
Only sealed in a locked, numbered bar before arrival, which must stay closed on the ground. Unsealed alcohol risks fines and confiscation.
Fares, dates and rules on this page were checked on 19 October 2026. Official fares and schedules change every season; the operator or authority named in each source has the final word.
- 1.TradeArabia, September 2026: Riyadh Season 2026 to open on October 21
- 2.Formula E, June 2026: Season 13 calendar, where Formula E will be racing in 2026/27
- 3.Silverstone, September 2026: F1 2027 calendar, full list of venues and key dates
- 4.PlanetF1, March 2026: F1 cancels Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix over Middle East conflict
- 5.Arab News, October 2026: Riyadh racing returns to King Abdulaziz Racecourse
- 6.Experience AlUla, November 2025: Winter at Tantora 2026
- 7.Riyadh Daily, January 2026: AlUla Desert Polo 2026, full schedule and teams for the fifth edition
- 8.Universal Weather, 2025: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix business aviation planning guide
- 9.Universal Weather: Business jet destination guide, Saudi Arabia (updated April 2022)
- 10.Wheels Up (Air Partner): AlUla International Airport (ULH) airport guide
- 11.House of Saud, March 2026: Saudi Cup guide, tickets, travel and the world's richest horse race
- 12.GP Destinations, August 2026: How to get to Jeddah Corniche Circuit
- 13.DJ Mag, October 2026: Soundstorm festival cancels 2026 edition
- 14.AIN, October 2025: Alliance opens FBO at Saudi Arabia's AlUla airport
Arrive close to the action.
A specialist replies around the clock with aircraft options, the operator's name and an all-in price.