Dubai’s Meydan Racecourse is preparing for a new international chapter after the Racecourse Media Group (RMG) and Arena Racing Company (ARC) secured the rights to distribute its live racing coverage for the next three seasons. The deal is more than a routine renewal of broadcast arrangements. It repositions Meydan as an international venue at a moment when the UAE is quietly reshaping its approach to regulated gambling and international sports entertainment.
A decade-long partnership enters a new phase
Racecourse Media Group has produced coverage of Dubai Racing Club events for more than ten years. The new agreement extends that relationship but also hands RMG and ARC joint responsibility for distributing live content across global markets. Their distribution will run through GBI Racing, a network that already reaches around 10,000 betting outlets worldwide and more than 100 digital streaming partners.
For racing fans in the UK and Ireland, coverage will continue across both digital and retail channels. Internationally, the reach is expected to grow. Both organisations describe the arrangement as a strategic opportunity, with RMG chief executive Nick Mills calling the new cycle an important step toward maximising global engagement.
A world-class venue preparing for a historic season
Meydan Racecourse is already recognised as one of the most ambitious racing venues in the world. Its grandstand can host more than 80,000 spectators and its calendar is anchored by the Dubai Racing Carnival, which runs from November to March.
The 2025 to 2026 season will culminate in the 30th Dubai World Cup, a milestone edition with 30.5 million dollars in prize money across nine major races. The event remains one of the most internationally followed fixtures in the sport.
For the Dubai Racing Club, extending and expanding this distribution partnership ensures that Meydan’s showcase events still retain visibility in the market during a period of increased competition among events.
Broadcast rights expand as the UAE redefines regulated gambling
The timing of the deal is notable. The UAE legal gambling environment is undergoing significant transformation. The recent launch of Play 971 as the first fully licensed iGaming platform under the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority marks a shift away from a historically restrictive approach to gambling products.
The upcoming Wynn Al Marjan Island resort is expected to anchor the country’s first fully integrated casino resort experience in 2027. Governance structures are also evolving, with regulatory leadership transitioning in November when Kevin Mullally stepped down and chairman Jim Murren temporarily assumed executive oversight.
Against this backdrop, a strengthened media rights strategy around one of the UAE’s most recognisable sporting assets reflects the country’s effort to elevate its position in global entertainment markets.
A strategic push for reach, revenue and international influence
For RMG and ARC, the appeal is clear. Meydan’s Ambitious new project delivers strong interest for enthusiasts, and the GBI Racing network gives the partners a proven platform for generating commercial returns.
For the Dubai Racing Club, the value lies in its now extended reach. Consistent global coverage supports more international participation, invigorates new sponsorship interest and strengthens the long-term authority of both the Dubai Racing Carnival and the Dubai World Cup as world-class events.
As the UAE’s gaming and sports ecosystem modernizes, this agreement positions Meydan as a flagship partner with global distribution rights secured through 2028. The next three seasons will show how far that visibility can carry the region’s most ambitious racing venue.
References:
- RMG & ARC three-year Meydan distribution contract – https://www.racecoursemediagroup.com/news/blog/rmg-and-arc-awarded-dubai-racing-club-three-year-distribution-contract/
- RMG three-year production & distribution deal at Meydan – https://www.racecoursemediagroup.com/news/blog/rmg-awarded-dubai-racing-club-three-year-production-and-distribution-contracts/
- Dubai Racing Carnival 2025/26 & Dubai World Cup US$30.5m purse – https://dubairacingclub.com/press-releases/experience-a-season-of-world-class-horseracing-at-the-dubai-racing-carnival/
- GCGRA overview as UAE commercial gaming regulator – https://www.gcgra.gov.ae/en/about-us/who-we-are/
