Saudi Arabia will host the Sixth Hajj Conference and Exhibition in Jeddah from November 8 to 11, 2026, under the patronage of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. The event is organized by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in cooperation with the Pilgrim Experience Program, according to Asharq Al-Awsat.

The conference has become one of the largest annual gatherings dedicated to the pilgrimage sector, drawing officials, operators and specialists from around the world to discuss how to improve services for the millions who perform Hajj and Umrah each year.

Scale and Participation

According to Asharq Al-Awsat, this year's edition is expected to bring together more than 520 entities from the government, private and nonprofit sectors, both within the Kingdom and internationally. Organizers say participants will represent more than 150 countries, underscoring the global reach of the pilgrimage industry.

The previous edition offers a sense of the event's scale. It featured around 270 exhibitors, drew some 204,000 visitors, hosted 134 specialized sessions and included training programs that reached more than 2,600 participants. The ministry said the conference "reflects the leadership's continued commitment to serving pilgrims" and supporting the development of the Hajj services ecosystem.

Three Main Tracks

The program is organized around three principal tracks. The first covers infrastructure and operational services, including transportation, logistics, housing and catering. The second focuses on empowerment and integration, spanning safety, security, healthcare and technology. The third addresses sustainable development, with attention to the nonprofit sector, entrepreneurship and training.

Across these tracks, the conference features ministerial panels, keynote speeches, policy dialogue sessions and capability-building workshops. An innovation zone is set to showcase early-stage ventures in mobility, health and hospitality, while matchmaking sessions aim to connect operators with solution providers.

Why It Matters

The conference serves as a planning and coordination platform ahead of each pilgrimage season. Decisions and partnerships formed at the event often shape the services pilgrims encounter, from how they travel between the holy sites to the digital tools they use to arrange permits and accommodation.

For the wider industry, the exhibition offers a venue to present new technology and approaches to crowd management, a central concern given the enormous numbers of worshippers who gather in Makkah and Madinah. The emphasis on sustainability and innovation aligns with Saudi Arabia's broader Vision 2030 goals for the sector.

Practical Notes for the Sector

Operators and service providers planning to attend should prepare in advance to make the most of the gathering. Register early through official channels, as previous editions have drawn large crowds.

  • Review the three tracks ahead of time to target the most relevant sessions.
  • Prepare for matchmaking opportunities if seeking partnerships with suppliers or technology firms.
  • Follow ministry announcements for the final agenda and any registration deadlines.

With Jeddah set to welcome participants from across the globe in November, the conference is positioned as a key moment in the calendar for everyone involved in serving the guests of the Two Holy Mosques.