Hajj Conference 2026 Opens In Jeddah: 8 Deals Signed

The sixth Hajj Conference and Exhibition opened in Jeddah on Sunday, 8 November 2026, at the Jeddah Superdome, under the patronage of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. More than 520 government, private and non-profit entities from over 150 countries are taking part in the four-day event, which runs until Wednesday, 11 November. On the opening day, eight agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed, including a SR5.6 billion project to develop transport stations and routes to and from the Grand Mosque in Makkah. Below is what happened on day one, what the conference is for, and what it means for Hajj 2027.

Key Points

The 6th Hajj Conference and Exhibition opened on Sunday, 8 November 2026, at the Jeddah Superdome, under the patronage of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and runs until Wednesday, 11 November.
It was inaugurated by Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of the Makkah Region, on behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.
More than 520 entities from over 150 countries are taking part, across an exhibition area of more than 67,000 square metres and 15+ specialised zones.
Eight agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed on the opening day, including the SR5.6 billion Wasel Al-Haram transport project.
The Nusuk platform now has more than 70 million users, and pilgrim satisfaction in the 1447 AH Hajj season reached 93%, according to the Minister of Hajj and Umrah.
The conference is the early preparation platform for Hajj 1448 AH, expected 14–19 May 2027 (moon-sighting dependent).

What Happened on the Opening Day

On behalf of King Salman, Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of the Makkah Region, inaugurated the conference on Sunday. He delivered a speech on the King’s behalf, welcoming the attendees to their second home, Saudi Arabia, and conveying his greetings. The speech said Saudi Arabia continues its efforts in serving the Two Holy Mosques and the Guests of the Rahman, placing that service at the forefront of its priorities, and that the Hajj and Umrah services conference is one of the enablers of that success — raising cooperation, coordination and readiness for the Hajj season.

The Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, who also chairs the Pilgrim Experience Program committee, reviewed the main changes in the Hajj and Umrah system in his speech. He said the number of service companies for foreign pilgrims has risen to 34, to increase competition; direct contracting now covers 58 countries; Hajj has been opened to pilgrims from 75 additional countries through the direct Hajj programme; and early preparation for the 1448 AH season is under way with pilgrim affairs offices in 78 countries. He also said the Nusuk platform and application now have more than 70 million users, and that pilgrim satisfaction in the 1447 AH season reached 93%.

The opening ceremony also included an address on behalf of the heads of pilgrims’ affairs offices, delivered by Dr. Muhammad Irfan Yusuf, Indonesia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah. The ceremony launched the Awareness and Training Forum — new for this edition, under the theme “From Awareness to Empowerment” — and a unified portal for workers in the Hajj sector.

The Eight Agreements Signed on Day One

Prince Saud witnessed the signing of eight agreements and memoranda of understanding at the ceremony:

A cooperation agreement between the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the Ministry of Education, to build the skills of people who serve pilgrims.
A cooperation agreement between the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the Ministry of Tourism, to improve the quality of pilgrim accommodation in Makkah and Madinah.
A memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and Saudi Airlines, to set up and operate a pilgrim travel station in Makkah.
A cooperation agreement between the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), to develop talent, research and innovation in serving pilgrims.
A memorandum of understanding between the King Abdulaziz Endowment for Al-Ain Al-Aziziyah and the Hadiya Pilgrim and Umrah Association, to improve the experience of visitors to the Two Holy Mosques and the sacred sites.
A strategic partnership between the General Authority for Awqaf, the Pilgrim Experience Program and the Nusuk Humanitarian Foundation, to establish and support strategic initiatives in serving pilgrims.
A partnership between the General Authority for Awqaf and Nusuk Humanitarian, to establish and run a portfolio of development and humanitarian projects for pilgrims.
The Wasel Al-Haram Project agreement, between the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites — through its executive arm, the General Transport Center — and the Qa’id Group Alliance and the Mawqif Company Alliance, valued at SR5.6 billion, to develop stations and routes leading to and from the Grand Mosque, improving service quality with the private sector.

What the Conference Is For

The Hajj Conference and Exhibition is the early preparation platform for the next Hajj season. Hajj affairs offices, service providers and the relevant authorities meet to finalise procedures, arrangements and contracts, explore the services and solutions available for the coming season, and discuss how to make pilgrims’ journeys better. The sixth edition covers transport, aviation, accommodation, catering, healthcare and technology — the services that begin months before pilgrims arrive in Saudi Arabia.

The conference programme is organised around three tracks: infrastructure and operational services; empowerment and integration; and development and sustainability. The Hajj Council holds 32 sessions with 42 speakers. The Ministry of Interior is taking part with a pavilion showing AI-enhanced security systems and digital solutions for crowd management and the holy sites, alongside its “No Haj Without a Permit” campaign and the Makkah Route Initiative. The Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites is taking part as a strategic sponsor, showing its development projects in infrastructure and transport.

On the sidelines, the Ministry launched a training programme for 2027 Hajj mission leaders and group leaders, with 11 tracks covering transport, housing, catering, crowd management, healthcare and holy-site services. The ministry’s vice minister, Abdulfattah Mashat, inspected the venue before the opening.

What It Means for Hajj 2027

Hajj 1448 AH is expected to fall on 14–19 May 2027, with the Day of Arafah expected on Saturday, 15 May 2027 and Eid al-Adha on Sunday, 16 May 2027. These dates are expected, not certain — they depend on the moon sighting, and local sighting may shift them by a day. The conference’s work — contracts, transport, accommodation and training — is the preparation that happens now so the season itself runs smoothly. For pilgrims planning Hajj 2027, the practical message is the same as every year: arrange Hajj only through your country’s authorised Hajj affairs office or licensed operator, and never travel for Hajj without a permit.

The conference continues until Wednesday, 11 November 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did the 6th Hajj Conference and Exhibition open?

It opened on Sunday, 8 November 2026, at the Jeddah Superdome, and runs until Wednesday, 11 November 2026.

Who inaugurated the conference?

Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of the Makkah Region, inaugurated it on behalf of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, under whose patronage the event is held.

What is the Wasel Al-Haram project?

It is a SR5.6 billion agreement signed on the opening day between the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites (through the General Transport Center) and the Qa’id Group Alliance and the Mawqif Company Alliance, to develop stations and routes leading to and from the Grand Mosque in Makkah.

How many entities are taking part?

More than 520 government, private and non-profit entities from over 150 countries, across more than 67,000 square metres and 15+ specialised zones. These are the announced pre-event figures.

When is Hajj 2027?

Hajj 1448 AH is expected on 14–19 May 2027, with the Day of Arafah expected on Saturday, 15 May 2027. The dates depend on the moon sighting and may shift by a day.

Can I attend the Hajj Conference?

The event is for Hajj affairs offices, service providers, government bodies and industry professionals. Visitor registration is through the conference’s official website, hajjconfex.com.

Sources and References

Saudi Press Agency; Sabq; Saudi Gazette; Arab News; Bernama

For the full Hajj guide, see: /hajj/

For the 7 steps of Hajj, see: /7-hajj-steps-pilgrims-complete-hajj-guide/

For the Talbiyah and its meaning, see: /hajj-talbiyah-meaning-audio-translation/

For the new Makkah ring road and Haramain train guide, see: /makkah-third-ring-road-opens/

For the new religious-services system at the Two Holy Mosques, see: /two-holy-mosques-institutional-system/