Naadam 2027 runs from 11 to 15 July, with the opening ceremony on 11 July at the National Sports Stadium in Ulaanbaatar. It is Mongolia's biggest festival, built around the three manly games of wrestling, archery and horse racing, and it is inscribed on UNESCO's list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (UNESCO). The hard part is the opening ceremony: the stadium is small and tickets are gone long before July.
Quick answer: Arrive in Ulaanbaatar by 10 July, book your hotel months ahead and get opening ceremony tickets through an agency. eMongolia.eu can secure tickets for our customers. Add a countryside naadam for a more local experience.
Naadam 2027 at a glance
| What | When and where | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Opening ceremony | 11 July, National Sports Stadium, Ulaanbaatar | Ticket needed. Arrive early for security checks. |
| Wrestling | In the stadium from 11 July | Hundreds of wrestlers in knockout rounds. |
| Archery | Archery ground next to the stadium | Relaxed and close up. |
| Horse racing | Open steppe outside the city | Child jockeys and long races. You need transport. |
| Street food | All around the stadium | Try khuushuur, the fried meat pastry everyone eats at Naadam. |
Why opening ceremony tickets are so hard to get
The National Sports Stadium seats roughly 12,500 people (Wikipedia) for a festival that the whole country and thousands of visitors want to see. Tickets are released in limited batches, largely through authorised tour operators, and they sell out fast. In practice, getting an opening ceremony ticket without an agency is almost impossible.
eMongolia.eu can get opening ceremony tickets for our customers. Tell us your group size as early as possible, ideally by spring, and we will reserve seats and plan your transport. Traffic and road closures around the stadium are heavy on 11 July.
The three manly games
- Wrestling (bökh): no weight classes and no time limit. A wrestler loses when any part of the body other than the feet and hands touches the ground.
- Archery: men and women shoot at small targets on the ground, and judges sing out the result of each shot.
- Horse racing: races are grouped by the age of the horse, with child jockeys riding many kilometres across the open steppe.
Where to stay and how to plan
Ulaanbaatar hotels fill up for Naadam and prices rise, so book as early as you can. Stay central, near Sükhbaatar Square, so you can walk instead of sitting in festival traffic. See our Ulaanbaatar guide for neighbourhoods. Many travellers continue into the countryside afterwards: a Gobi tour or a Terelj day trip is easy to add.
Countryside naadams: the local alternative
Many provinces and districts hold their own naadam in summer, often around the same time. They are smaller, free and far more personal: you can stand near the finish line of the horse race and share khuushuur with local families. If you cannot get stadium tickets, a countryside naadam is often the better experience. Ask us which local naadams fit your route.
Frequently asked questions
When is Naadam 2027?
The national Naadam holiday runs from 10 to 15 July 2027 (Wikipedia). The opening ceremony is on 11 July at the National Sports Stadium in Ulaanbaatar.
How do I get Naadam opening ceremony tickets?
Tickets are limited and sell out quickly, so it is almost impossible to get one without an agency. eMongolia.eu can secure tickets for our customers; contact us as early as possible.
Is Naadam worth it without a ticket?
Yes. Archery, horse racing and countryside naadams can be enjoyed without a stadium ticket, and the whole city has a festival atmosphere.
Sources
- UNESCO: Naadam, Mongolian traditional festival
- Wikipedia: National Sports Stadium (Mongolia)
- Wikipedia: Public holidays in Mongolia
Want tickets for the Naadam opening ceremony?
Send us your dates and group size. We can secure opening ceremony tickets for our customers and plan the rest of your Naadam trip.
Message us on WhatsAppOr email mugi@emongolia.eu with your travel month and planned route.