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Plan your Abu Dhabi stay.

Practical guidance for the journey to Butheeb—before you fly, while you are here, and when championship duties leave time to explore.

Plan your journey 14–20 December 2026

Start with the essentials.

Use these official visitor resources for current entry, airport and transport guidance. Always follow your federation’s confirmed WC26 itinerary where it differs.Planning guidance updated .

Check entry requirements

Visa requirements depend on nationality. Confirm your eligibility and required documents before booking or travelling.

Check visa guidance

Arrive through Zayed International Airport

Zayed International Airport is Abu Dhabi’s main international gateway, with taxis and bus connections available from arrivals.

Explore airport guidance

Move around the emirate

Taxis, public buses, rental cars and visitor shuttles connect the airport, city districts and major attractions.

Compare transport options

Make Butheeb the destination—not just Abu Dhabi.

Butheeb International Endurance Village is in Al Khatim, Abu Dhabi. General city transport guidance does not confirm the final journey to the championship venue.

Plan the final journey

Confirm the venue transfer or private transport arrangement before setting out from the airport or your accommodation.

Follow approved access

Use the arrival point, access time and accreditation instructions issued through your federation or the relevant WC26 channel.

Keep confirmation close

Save your confirmed itinerary and booking details on your phone so they remain available throughout championship week.

Public parking, drop-off and spectator arrival details are not yet published.

WC26 will present approved access information here when it is confirmed. Team participants should continue to use their protected portal itinerary.

View confirmed team travel

Inside the Village.

Choose a facility, then switch between the illustrated model and original aerial map to recognise the surrounding landmarks.

Historical venue reference. From page 22 of the February 2023 competition booklet. The original Butheeb 2022 branding is retained. Facilities, parking and access arrangements for 2026 are not yet confirmed.

Same location. Two perspectives.
HelipadVVIP Majlis 1, 2 & 3VIP Majlis 1–10Media roomAward ceremony stageRecovery areaRegistration officeWeighing areaTime keeping / GPS officeVetting areaVet gateHold areaHyposensitivity areaAccounting officeRider loungeAccreditation tent areaVest collection areaVeterinary clinicHorse feed supplier areaMosqueSecurity officeTransport officeOfficials lounge / mediaWCAmbulance & horse rescueHuman clinicButheeb hotelGrooms accommodationStorageQuarantine stable 1Quarantine stable 2Quarantine stable 3Quarantine stable 4Quarantine stable 5Quarantine stable 6Quarantine stable 7Quarantine stable 8Quarantine stable 9Quarantine stable 10Quarantine stable 11Public parkingVIP / VVIP parkingOfficials parkingOrganisers parkingEntrance gate

Select the map or a facility in the list. Switching views keeps your selection and scale. Approximate positions, not live GPS.

Venue site map · February 2023 reference
Download map
Facility key · 29 locations
  1. Helipad
  2. VVIP Majlis 1, 2 & 3
  3. VIP Majlis 1–10
  4. Media room
  5. Award ceremony stage
  6. Recovery area
  7. Registration office
  8. Weighing area
  9. Time keeping / GPS office
  10. Vetting area
  11. Vet gate
  12. Hold area
  13. Hyposensitivity area
  14. Accounting office
  15. Rider lounge
  16. Accreditation tent area
  17. Vest collection area
  18. Veterinary clinic
  19. Horse feed supplier area
  20. Mosque
  21. Security office
  22. Transport office
  23. Officials lounge / media
  24. WC
  25. Ambulance & horse rescue
  26. Human clinic
  27. Butheeb hotel
  28. Grooms tents
  29. Storage

The numbers above follow the printed legend. The map labels 28 and 29 are reversed against that legend: the drawing marks storage as 28 and grooms accommodation as 29. Quarantine stables 1–11 and parking areas are labelled directly on the map.

Venue site map

Choose Enlarge or Full detail to read smaller labels. Historical reference; not confirmed 2026 access.

Original venue site map with all 29 facility labels, parking areas and quarantine stables.
An endurance rider crossing the desert at Butheeb

Pack for desert days and cool interiors.

December is among Abu Dhabi’s most comfortable periods, but days at an endurance venue begin early and indoor spaces can feel cool. Bring breathable layers, a light jacket, sun protection and dependable walking shoes.

Light layers for changing temperaturesModest clothing for cultural and public placesSun protection and closed shoes for the venue
Read the official packing guide
Local timeUTC +4Gulf Standard Time
CurrencyAEDCards are widely accepted
Championship venueButheebAl Khatim, Abu Dhabi

Build your trip around championship week.

This is the confirmed high-level event window. Detailed accreditation, veterinary, team and transfer schedules will be communicated through the appropriate WC26 channels.

Provisional 2026 adaptation of the February 2023 booklet; all arrangements await confirmation.

  1. Arrival & preparation

    08:00 · Arrival veterinary examination, training track and restaurant open

    Time to be confirmed · Stables and show office open; training and stable closing times to follow

  2. Accreditation & officials’ briefing

    14:00–17:00 · Ride desk and accreditation open

    14:30 · Key FEI officials and organising committee briefing; crisis-management meeting

    Time to be confirmed · Arrival examinations, training track, restaurant and stables

  3. Press, workshop & team meeting

    10:00–11:00 · Press conference

    11:00–11:30 · Coffee break

    11:30–13:30 · Workshop

    14:00–17:00 · Ride desk open

    15:00–16:30 · Chefs d’équipe and team veterinarians meet FEI and organiser

  4. Team preparations & opening ceremony

    14:00–17:00 · Show office open

    19:00 · Deadline for horses to enter official championship stables

    23:00 · Stables close

    Time to be confirmed · Mandatory chefs d’équipe and veterinarian meeting; opening ceremony

  5. Briefings & pre-ride inspection

    10:00 · Riders’ briefing, compulsory walk-through and recovery/hold-area allocation

    11:00 · Compulsory FEI officials’ meeting

    12:30 · Registration and competition-bib collection

    14:00–17:00 · Pre-ride inspection and ride desk open

    14:30–17:30 · Rider weigh-in and GPS distribution

    22:00 · Stables close

    Time to be confirmed · Substitution deadline and declaration of starters

  6. Championship ride

    03:45 · Deadline for emergency substitutions

    Before the start · Tack check at the departure gate

    05:00–13:00 · Ride desk open

    05:45 · Start of the World Endurance Championship

    Time to be confirmed · Best Condition competition; all competing horses remain overnight in official stables

    After signed results · Protest deadline: 30 minutes after results are signed

  7. Fit-to-travel checks & closing ceremony

    09:30–14:00 · Ride desk open

    Time to be confirmed · Fit-to-travel examinations, horse-passport collection and closing ceremony

When the day at Butheeb is done.

Use official Experience Abu Dhabi guides to make a free morning or evening count. Opening hours and availability can change, so check each destination before setting out.

Meet Emirati cultureDiscover the customs, crafts, food and hospitality shaped by life between the desert and the sea.Experience the desertUse a free afternoon to explore Abu Dhabi’s desert landscape with an established, licensed operator.See more of Abu DhabiBuild time around museums, the Grand Mosque, mangroves, beaches and the city’s waterfront districts.

Destination information is summarised from official Experience Abu Dhabi visitor resources. Entry rules, transport services and opening hours should be checked again close to travel.

14–20 December 2026FEI Endurance World Championship · Butheeb, Abu Dhabi
Continue planning with Experience Abu Dhabi