Racecourse Media Group (RMG) and Arena Racing Company (ARC) have agreed a deal with Dubai Racing Club to distribute live pictures and data from Meydan Racecourse, the leading horse racing venue in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) city.
The agreement will run for three years, covering the 2025-26, 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons. RMG, which has overseen television production for the Dubai Racing Club for over a decade, will work with long-term partner ARC for the new venture.
This will include distributing Dubai Racing Club content through GBI Racing, the international partnership of ARC and RMG. Content will be made available across global territories. GBI Racing is broadcast in approximately 10,000 venues worldwide and with more than 100 digital customers.
Meydan Racecourse is among the largest horse racing venues in the world. Its half-mile long main grandstand can accommodate over 80,000 spectators, while the facility hosts several major events including the Dubai Racing Carnival and Dubai World Cup.
The 2025-26 Dubai World Cup will be the 30th edition of the race. Some $30.5 million in prize money will be on offer across six group 1 and three group 2 races on 28 March next year.
RMG and ARC talk up revenue potential
RMG CEO Nick Mills welcomed the new partnership. He said he was pleased to build on the company’s prior relationship with Dubai Racing Club and explore new revenue opportunities with ARC.
“Combined, RMG and ARC are among the largest – and most established – distributors of horse racing content globally,” he said. “This extensive reach delivers unmatched metrics in terms of eyeballs and engagement levels on content, and will result in the highest potential revenue generation.”
Brendan Parnell, managing director, media and international at ARC, made similar comments on the deal. He said the three-way agreement will expand Dubai Racing Club’s footprint in regions around the world.
“Meydan Racecourse is an incredible facility, and its content is a huge draw around the world for racing fans,” he said. “Via our retail and GBI networks, we look forward to working alongside RMG to enhance DRC’s footprint and distribution globally.”
Erwan Charpy, head of racing operations and international relations at Dubai Racing Club, added: “We look forward to working with RMG and ARC to grow further interest in our world-class and competitive racing from Meydan Racecourse.”
More expansion for the UAE gambling landscape
The deal represents the latest step of evolution for gambling in the UAE. Just last week, Play 971 launched in the UAE, becoming the first fully licensed and regulated iGaming site in the market.
Play 971 is one of several websites licensed by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA). Sources suggested it was undergoing a trial rollout in a limited area, with the site only available in certain areas of the UAE.
Prior to this launch, the UAE Lottery was the only legal gambling product. Wynn’s Al Marjan Island, a new land-based resort, is not due to open until early 2027.
It is not just the market that has evolved, with the setup of regulator GCGRA also changing in recent weeks. In November, founding CEO Kevin Mullally stepped down from his role at the organisation. Mullally oversaw the establishment of the regulator’s core governance and regulatory structures but is exiting to spend more time with his family. Chairman Jim Murren has taken over in the interim.
RMG and ARC will distribute content during the 2025-26, 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons.